European Biotechnology News :: Molecular link between herpes and cancer

"Lisbon/New York - A Portuguese-US research team has discovered a new molecular mechanism that enables gamma herpes viruses to chronically infect patients. Gamma herpes viruses infect white blood cells (B- or T-lymphocytes) remaining latent in the lymphoid tissues as an asymptomatic chronic infection. The results of the study, which were published online in the EMBO Journal, offer a greater understanding of why these patients are more likely to suffer from lymphocyte (white blood cell) cancer lymphoma immunodeficiency."