Ameloblastomas (ABs) are rare odontogenic benign tumors. Although studies of the molecular pathogenesis have revealed the presence of mutations and altered gene expression, the etiology is unresolved. Viruses cause 10%-15 % of cancers, but their potential role within benign tumors is less studied. This study focuses on the potential presence of herpes-, parvo-, and polyomaviruses in ABs. Thirty DNA viruses comprising herpes-, parvo-, and polyomaviruses were analyzed by qPCR and Luminex-based methods in 11 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded AB samples. In repeated analyses, the ABs harbored none of the studied large set of viruses. Based on our findings a relevant role of the studied viruses seems unlikely in the pathogenesis of ABs.
Jauhiainen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.