Absence of Simian virus 40, BK, and JC polyomavirus DNA in squamous cell carcinoma limited to the oral cavity

BACKGROUND: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are among the most aggressive types of cancer. The Simian virus 40 (SV40), which is a polyomavirus known for its oncogenic potential, was found as a contaminant of oral vaccines and has been related to human pleomorphic adenoma in the parotid gland. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of SV40 and 2 human polyomaviruses-BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV)-in a large sample of SCCs of the oral cavity. METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate virus load. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of SV40, BKV, and JCV in oral SCC was negligible. Matched-pair case-control analysis indicated that prevalence among the controls did not significantly differ with respect to analyzed cases. CONCLUSION: The results did not indicate a major role for SV40, BKV, and JCV in the etiology of oral SCC.