Detection of MMTV-Like sequences in Moroccan breast cancer cases.
BACKGROUND
The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) like sequences have been reported to be present in some human breast cancers, but their association with breast cancer development is still controversial.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, we investigated the status of MMTV-like in 42 tumor biopsies and 18 paired normal tissues from Moroccan patients with breast cancer. MMTV-like env sequences were identified by PCR and confirmed by direct DNA sequencing.


RESULTS
Specific MMTV-like env sequences were found in 24 (57.14%) cases of breast carcinomas, and 6 (33.3%) cases of matched normal breast tissues. Comparison to sociologic and clinicopathological parameters showed no significant association between the presence of MMTV-like sequences and age, menopausal status, histological subtype, histological grade, tumor size and the expression of hormone receptors (estrogen ER and/or progesterone PgR) and Her 2. However, a significant correlation was found between MMTV-like presence and parity (p = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
This present study confirms the presence of MMTV-like env sequences in breast cancer in Moroccan women, prompting further evaluation, on large sampling, to elucidate the probable causal roles of MMTV-like in breast cancer development.
Equipe de recherche ONCOGYMA, University of Mohamed V-Souissi, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Avenue Mohammed Belarbi El Alaoui - Souissi, BP 6203 Rabat, Morocco ; Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco.
Meriem
M
Slaoui
Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco.
Mohammed
M
El Mzibri
Laboratory of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Université Mohamed V-Souissi Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Avenue Mohammed Belarbi El Alaoui - Souissi, BP 6203 Rabat, Morocco ; Department of Public Health, Université Mohamed V-Souissi Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Avenue Mohammed Belarbi El Alaoui - Souissi, BP 6203 Rabat, Morocco.
Rachid
R
Razine
Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco.
Zineb
Z
Qmichou
Unité de Biologie et Recherche Médicale, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco.
Mohammed
M
Attaleb
Equipe de recherche ONCOGYMA, University of Mohamed V-Souissi, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Avenue Mohammed Belarbi El Alaoui - Souissi, BP 6203 Rabat, Morocco.
Mariam
M
Amrani
Breast cancer; MMTV-like; Morocco