title: New insights on the association between the prostate cancer and the small DNA tumour virus, BK polyomavirus.
abstract: In recent years the scientific literature in the field of the prostate carcinoma (PCa) pointed out on the genetic heterogeneity and mutations occurring in this tumour, while little attention was given to the causes of PCa onset, in particular infectious agents. In this brief commentary, we wish to point out recent advancements done on the role of the human polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) in the development of PCa by harnessing both humoral and cellular immune responses. Altogether, these new insights suggest that BKPyV is involved in the transforming activity during the multistep process of PCa development. Although these findings do not provide evidence for a causal relationship between BKPyV and PCa development, additional investigations with novel techniques will help to make it a concrete event.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pathology, Oncology and Experimental Biology, Laboratories of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ferrara, 64/b, Fossato di Mortara Street, 44121, Ferrara, Italy. tgm@unife.it.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tognon
authors.affiliation: Oncology Research Unit, Department of Urology and Division of Surgical Research, University and University Hospital of Zurich, 8952, Zurich, Switzerland. maurizio.provenzano@usz.ch.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Provenzano
mesh_terms: D001739:BK Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*