Detection of SV40-like DNA sequences in pleural mesothelioma, bronchopulmonary carcinoma and other pulmonary diseases.

Mesotheliomas are pleural-based tumours mainly associated with asbestos exposure (70% of cases) and the incidence is still raising. Recently, a possible viral connection was reported and 60% of mesotheliomas were demonstrated to contain and express SV40-like DNA sequences. In this study, the presence of SV40-like DNA sequences were investigated in mesotheliomas (15 tissue samples and six cell lines) and in 63 additional bronchopulmonary carcinomas, one parietal osteosarcoma and non-malignant lung samples as well as in organizing pleuritis (8). Finally, 163 samples were analysed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with a set of primers PYV.for and PYV.rev to amplify a 173 bp region of the SV40 Tag. and a 179 bp region JC virus (JCV) as well as a 182 bp region BK virus (BKV). PCR amplification and hybridization with a probe specific for SV40 Tag revealed that 47.6% of mesotheliomas, 28.6% of primary bronchopulmonary carcinomas and 16% of non-neoplasic lung diseases contained SV40-like DNA sequences. No statistically significant difference in the occurrence of these DNA sequences was found between malignant mesothelioma and bronchopulmonary carcinoma. However, a significantly higher number of mesothelioma cases exhibited SV40- like DNA sequences in comparison with non-malignant pleural and pulmonary tissues. The DNA sequences were not related to BK and JC virus sequences. These results indicate that SV40-like DNA sequences are present in mesotheliomas as well as in bronchopulmonary carcinomas and non-malignant pleuropulmonary diseases.