title: Polyomavirus BK and prostate cancer: an unworthy scientific effort?
abstract: The Polyomavirus BK (BKV) has been proposed to be one of the possible co-factors in the genesis of prostate cancer (PCa) but, so far, the only convincing suggestion is the hypothesis of a "hit and run" carcinogenic mechanism induced by the virus at early stages of this disease. To support this hypothesis we conducted an updated systematic review on previous studies regarding the association between BKV and PCa, in order to interpret the contrasting results and to explore whether there might be a significant virus-disease link. This updated analysis provides evidence for a significant link between BKV expression and PCa development, particularly between the BKV infection and the cancer risk. Forthcoming scientific efforts that take cue from this study might overcome the atavistic and fruitless debate regarding the BKV-PCa association.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delbue
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.affiliation: Oncology Unit, Division of Urology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Provenzano
keywords: BKV-DNA detection; Polyomavirus BK; meta-analysis; prostate cancer