Do human tumor-associated viruses play a role in the development of synovial sarcoma?
BACKGROUND
To date, the pathomechanism of soft tissue sarcomas such as synovial sarcoma remains unclear whereas even a viral etiology was suspected. Aim of this study was to analyze whether EBV, HHV-8 or HPV play a role in the development of synovial sarcomas.


RESULTS
In total 41 synovial sarcomas were included in this retrospective study. For detection of EBV 1/2 and HHV-8, resection specimens were analyzed with regard to virus-specific sequences using a SingleStep PCR. HPV analysis was carried out by an HPV-specific multiplex-PCR and subsequent array-hybridization for HPV-typing. No virus-specific DNA of EBV, HHV-8 or HPV was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
An involvement of these viruses in the etiology of synovial sarcoma was not detected but further studies are needed with different virus types and sarcoma entities.
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Ulrich
U
Lenze
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Florian
F
Pohlig
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Heinrich
H
Mühlhofer
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Florian
F
Lenze
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Andreas
A
Toepfer
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Hans
H
Rechl
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Rainer
R
Burgkart
Department for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Rüdiger
R
von Eisenhart-Rothe
Institute of Pathology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Melanie
M
Straub
EBV; HHV-8; HPV; Soft tissue sarcoma; Synovial sarcoma; Virus