Viral cancer causation

[Jacques.Read@eh.doe.gov]

NEW CLUE TO VIRAL LINKS TO CANCER

from Newsday



Subtle damage left behind by viral infections may set the stage for cancer

to erupt long after the viruses have gone, scientists reported yesterday.



The hidden damage left by the virus may cripple the cell's vital gene-

repair system. Without repairs, mutations may accumulate among the genes

and later cause cancer, researchers at the Salk Institute in California

suggested in the journal Nature.



The findings, if confirmed, may answer one of the most vexing questions in

cancer research: How viruses might trigger the wildfire growth of cancer -

without leaving genetic footprints of their own behind.

<http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hsviru182790635jul18.story?coll=ny%

2Dhealth%2Dheadlines>





************************************************************************

You are currently subscribed to the Radsafe mailing list. To unsubscribe,

send an e-mail to Majordomo@list.vanderbilt.edu  Put the text "unsubscribe

radsafe" (no quote marks) in the body of the e-mail, with no subject line.

You can view the Radsafe archives at http://www.vanderbilt.edu/radsafe/