Absence of Y-chromosome sequences in tumors from African women with AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma.
Kaposi sarcoma (KS) occurs with relatively high frequency in immunosuppressed transplant recipients and in patients with AIDS. Recently, Italian investigators reported transplant-related KS tumors bearing donor-derived antigens, suggesting possible parenteral transmission of KS as whole cells, i.e., chimeric tumors. To investigate the hypothesis that KS whole cells may also be transmitted into immunocompromised persons via heterosexual acts, we tested nodular KS lesions and matched normal tissue obtained from female patients with AIDS for the presence of the Y-chromosome specific sex determining sequence (SRY). Among 25 unique tumors tested, none was positive for SRY sequence. While our results do not exclude sexual cellular transmission of whole KS cells, they suggest that if it occurs, it is rare.
Mbulaiteye
Sam M
SM
Viral Epidemiology Branch, DCEG, National Cancer Institute, Executive Plaza South Rm 7080, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. mbulaits@mail.nih.gov
Sternberg
Lawrence R
LR
Nsubuga
Martin M
MM
Anver
Miriam R
MR
Mehta
Meghna
M
Biryahwaho
Benon
B
Kambugu
Fred
F
Rabkin
Charles S
CS
Biggar
Robert J
RJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000349:Africa; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D050173:Genes, Y-Linked; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000235:genetics*; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D051876:Sex-Determining Region Y Protein