BACKGROUND: We investigated a Swedish group of 114 immunosuppressed cardiac allograft patients for the occurrence of posttransplant cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. A total of 15 tumors were detected in specimens from 5 patients. METHODS: The tumors were analyzed for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes as well as EBV-specific gene expression by using three different techniques; the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. The material was also tested by PCR for high-risk human papilloma virus genome. RESULTS: EBV DNA could be detected by PCR in 10 of the investigated tumors, 7 of which also expressed EBV latent membrane protein 1 and/or EBV-encoded RNAs. No EBV genomes or EBV gene products could be detected in normal skin/resection margins, available from three of the tumors investigated. All tumors were negative for high-risk human papilloma virus DNA analyzed by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have found a high incidence of EBV-specific expression in posttransplant cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. These results suggest that at least some of the skin cancers developing in immunocompromised heart transplant recipients are associated with EBV.
BACKGROUND: We investigated a Swedish group of 114 immunosuppressed cardiac allograft patients for the occurrence of posttransplant cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. A total of 15 tumors were detected in specimens from 5 patients. METHODS: The tumors were analyzed for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes as well as EBV-specific gene expression by using three different techniques; the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. The material was also tested by PCR for high-risk human papilloma virus genome. RESULTS:EBV DNA could be detected by PCR in 10 of the investigated tumors, 7 of which also expressed EBV latent membrane protein 1 and/or EBV-encoded RNAs. No EBV genomes or EBV gene products could be detected in normal skin/resection margins, available from three of the tumors investigated. All tumors were negative for high-risk human papilloma virus DNA analyzed by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have found a high incidence of EBV-specific expression in posttransplant cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. These results suggest that at least some of the skin cancers developing in immunocompromised heart transplant recipients are associated with EBV.
Authors: Andi Krumbholz; Tim Sandhaus; Angela Göhlert; Albert Heim; Roland Zell; Renate Egerer; Martin Breuer; Eberhard Straube; Peter Wutzler; Andreas Sauerbrei Journal: Med Microbiol Immunol Date: 2010-07-20 Impact factor: 3.402
Authors: Peter Hyckel; Peter Schleier; Astrid Meerbach; Alexander Berndt; Hartwig Kosmehl; Peter Wutzler Journal: Med Microbiol Immunol Date: 2003-04-10 Impact factor: 3.402