JC Virus
A virus that infects about 65 percent of all children by the age of 14, and that may play a role in the development of medulloblastoma—the most common type of malignant brain tumor found in the young. This type of cancer is diagnosed annually in about one out of every 200,000 children under the age of 15. Very aggressive, this cancer is difficult to treat and is often fatal. Proteins from the JC virus were found in 20 specimens of brain tumors taken from children, according to researchers at Temple University. The presence of the virus suggests it may play a role in the development of these tumors.
The name of the virus comes from the initials of a patient, John Cunningham, from whom the virus was first isolated in the 1970s. Earlier studies have shown that JC virus causes cancer in rats and mice, and that it can cause brain tumors in certain monkeys. JC virus, a type of neutropic polyomavirus, typically infects the upper respiratory system in the same way as the common cold. The virus causes no disease unless a patient’s immune system is weakened or destroyed. In addition to the brain tumors, the JC virus can cause a fatal brain disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). About four percent of all AIDS patients develop PML.
If scientists can conclusively prove that JC virus does play a role in the brain cancer, it may be possible to develop a vaccine that could help in treating the tumor or preventing its spread.
The name of the virus comes from the initials of a patient, John Cunningham, from whom the virus was first isolated in the 1970s. Earlier studies have shown that JC virus causes cancer in rats and mice, and that it can cause brain tumors in certain monkeys. JC virus, a type of neutropic polyomavirus, typically infects the upper respiratory system in the same way as the common cold. The virus causes no disease unless a patient’s immune system is weakened or destroyed. In addition to the brain tumors, the JC virus can cause a fatal brain disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). About four percent of all AIDS patients develop PML.
If scientists can conclusively prove that JC virus does play a role in the brain cancer, it may be possible to develop a vaccine that could help in treating the tumor or preventing its spread.
