Detecting new cancer-causing virus

Recently, scientists at the Genetic Development Laboratory of the University of Southern California (USA) have discovered Cytomegalo virus is the culprit causing the most common salivary gland cancer.

The study, published online last week in the journal Experimental and Molecular Pathology, includes a series of studies by scientists at the University of Southern California (USC) that demonstrate that Cytomegalo (CMV) virus can click Cancer activity in healthy cells, or attack the weakness of mutant cells to form tumors.

The baby in the womb infected with Cytomegalo virus will cause birth defects

Michael Melnick, professor of genetics development at USC, the lead researcher concluded that CMV is a cancer-causing virus after studying salivary gland tumors in both human and newborn mice.

CMV classification is very important for health. The prevalence of this virus in humans is very high, can cause serious illness and death in patients with immune system damage and birth defects when pregnant women are exposed. For people with good immune systems, CMV will not function but reside in saliva to wait for opportunities.

The study not only found a link between CMV and carcinoma, the most common type of salivary gland cancer, but also identified how the virus causes disease.

Salivary gland cancer is usually only detected at the end stage. The surgery will affect the quality of life of the patient because the cancer area is near the face.

The results of the study provide hope for new effective prevention and treatment methods, like the reduction in human papilloma virus (HPV) after identifying the virus in relation to uterine cancer.