The Blood XMRV Scientific Research Working Group: Mission, Progress and Plans

Recently, there have been studies that indicate that Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus (MLV)-related Virus (XMRV), a newly described human gammaretrovirus, and other related viruses, may be associated with both prostate cancer and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)1–4. It has also been suggested that these viruses have the potential to be transmitted by blood transfusion5. However, a number of studies have failed to support these associations, or indeed detect significant evidence of XMRV in the human population6–9. Currently, there is insufficient information to determine whether or not XMRV and related viruses are a threat to blood safety. Accordingly, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has established a Scientific Research Working Group (SRWG) to explore the following questions: What is the prevalence of XMRV in the donor population? Is XMRV transmissible by blood transfusion? And if XMRV is transmissible by transfusion, are there any pathologic consequences for the infected recipient? As a starting point, the SRWG has focused on standardizing the various tests used to detect XMRV in blood samples and has facilitated the sharing of clinical samples between laboratories. This commentary discusses background information relating to blood safety and XMRV and related viruses and outlines the specific actions that the SRWG has taken and plans to take.