Human T-cell leukemia virus type I infection as an oncogenic and prognostic risk factor in cervical and vaginal carcinoma

Article Abstract:

Certain types of virus, such as human papillomaviruses and Epstein-Barr virus, may be involved in the development of cancers of the genital tract or the nose and throat. Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) causes adult T-cell leukemia, a cancer of cells of the immune system. T-cell leukemia is endemic in southwestern Japan and parts of the Caribbean. A complication of T-cell leukemia is the development of opportunistic infections, which occur as a result of the weakened immunity of the patient. T-cell leukemia may also be associated with the development of other types of cancers. Studies suggest that HTLV- I may be involved in the disease processes of cancer and opportunistic infections associated with T-cell leukemia. The role of HTLV-I infection in development of cancers of the female genital tract was assessed by measuring the prevalence of HTLV-I antibodies, or immune proteins that specifically react with HTLV-I, in 226 patients with gynecologic malignancies. These patients were from Kumamoto, an area of southwestern Japan where T-cell leukemia is endemic. The prevalence of HTLV-I antibodies was greater among patients younger than 59 years with cancer of the cervix or the vagina, as compared with healthy subjects. The recurrence of cancer was greater among cancer patients with HTLV-I antibodies than among those without these viral antibodies. These findings suggest that HTLV-I infection may contribute to the development of cancer and affect the outcome of patients with cervical or vaginal cancer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Cervical cancer, Vaginal cancer

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HTLV-I uveitis

Article Abstract:

A specific type of uveitis appears to be caused by the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). Uveitis is an inflammation inside the eye. Studies have shown that people with uveitis of unknown cause are more likely to have HTLV-I antibodies than people with other types of uveitis or those with other types of eye disease. HTLV-I DNA has been detected in cells from inside the eye and the virus has been detected in T cells from intraocular fluid. These infected T cells produce several immune stimulants such as interleukins and tumor necrosis factor.

Causes of, Uveitis

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Adult T-cell leukemia in Japan

Article Abstract:

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is endemic in Japan. It is caused by the human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and was the first cancer linked to infection with a retrovirus. The disease is also endemic in the Caribbean and Central Africa. Over 1 million Japanese are carrying the virus and 700 develop ATL each year. The cancer is resistant to chemotherapy, which includes the use of deoxycoformycin, irinotecan, zidovudine and interferon alpha. Following the introduction of blood testing for HTLV-I, the number of carriers has declined.

Health aspects, Japan, Japanese, Japanese (Asian people), Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma

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