Epstein-Barr Virus and Breast Carcinoma in Iran

Background: A viral etiology for several malignancies has been suggested. One of the risk factors for development of breast carcinoma, which is the leading malignancy in women all over the world, is proposed to be a viral infection; hence recognition of the causative issues is essential for proper management. Objectives: Epstein - Barr virus (EBV) infection is reported to be associated with breast carcinoma. This study was conducted to detect the presence of EBV-DNA in breast cancer in Iranian patients. Methods: In this case-control study, the prevalence of EBV-DNA detection was investigated by qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 75 women with breast cancer and 75 cases with benign breast lesions or normal breast tissue, which were examined between 2005 and 2014 at the pathobiology laboratory center, Tehran, Iran. The pathology reports of the patients were reviewed, retrospectively. Results: In 7 cases (9.3%) of malignant lesions and 0% of benign lesions, the EBV-DNA was found, showing a statistically significant difference according to the Fisher test (P = 0.014, Odds Ratio: 0.907; 95% CI of OR: 0.843 - 0.975). Conclusions: According to our results, it can be suggested that EBV may have an etiologic role in breast cancer in Iran. The confirmation of the etiologic role of EBV in the induction of breast carcinoma needs more studies using more specific and sensitive techniques.