Combined Evaluation of HSV Genome and Antibodies in Breast Cancer

Background: Breast cancer develops due to the combination of external and internal risk factors. Also, the role of viruses is considerable in developing breast cancer. Objectives: This study compared the frequency of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and the level of IgM and IgG antibodies against HSV between cancer patients and healthy individuals. Methods: Sixty women with breast cancer and 60 healthy women (40 with fibroadenoma and 20 in good health) were selected. Breast tissue and serum samples were taken from all the subjects to evaluate the HSV-1 and HSV-2 genome frequency using real-time PCR. Also, serum levels of IgM HSV and IgG HSV antibodies were assessed using the ELISA technique. Results: The HSV-1 genome was detected in six cancer specimens and in two fibroadenoma specimens (P = 0.143, OR: 3.22, CI95%: 0.623 - 16.66). Three cancer cases and one fibroadenoma case were positive for HSV-2 (P = 0.309, OR: 3.105, CI95%: 0.314 - 30.73). HSV IgM antibody was positive in three subjects in the control group and six in the case group (P = 0.298, OR: 2.11, CI95%: 0.503 - 8.87). Although the higher mean levels of antibodies were found in the case group (4.01 ± 5.91 U/mL) compared to the control group (2.95 ± 3.51 U/mL), there was no statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.179). The serum of all samples was positive for the HSV IgG antibody, and there was a statistically significant difference in its mean levels between the case (91.22 ± 13.58 U/mL) and control (81.58 ± 17.02 U/mL) groups (P = 0.008). Conclusions: The present study showed that HSV-1 and HSV-2 were not directly related to breast tissue carcinogenesis and may act as co-factors.