Research at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) refutes the theory that viral infections are the cause of breast cancer and brain cancer.
The authors of the study based their conclusions on the analysis of over 700 billion DNA sequences in which they found no traces of viruses.
It is known that about 15 percent. all cancer cases are the result of a viral infection. However, some researchers believe that even more cancers could have such a cause. For example, it has been suggested that the Epstein-Barr virus can cause the development of breast cancer, and the cytomegalovirus – glioblastoma, a dangerous, malignant brain tumor.
After careful and comprehensive analysis of more than 700 billion DNA sequences from more than 4 cancers, involving several powerful computers, Swedish scientists ruled out such a theory.
We have conducted an in-depth analysis of billions of DNA sequences. We looked for any sign of viruses in 19 different types of cancer. And we did not find it, says Dr. Erik Larsson, co-author of the study. – Our study, on the other hand, confirmed the previously known relationships between several types of cancer and some viruses, which proves that the method we used was effective. However, the scientist added, neither in the case of breast cancer nor glioblastoma were the presence of viruses.
“If any viruses were involved in the development of breast cancer or glioblastoma, it is very likely that we would be able to find any traces of them,” he adds.
The Gothenburg team’s research has resulted in a comprehensive map of the association of different types of cancer with viruses. You can see on it, among others there is a strong correlation between liver cancer and hepatitis virus, or cervical cancer and human papillomavirus. “But importantly, our analysis strongly disproves the theory of viral etiology in several types of cancers that have been wrongly suspected of being of such origin,” says Larsson. (PAP)