Virions and antigens of herpes virus type 2 in cervical carcinoma.

Herpesvirus type 2 (HSV-2) has been associated with squamous cancer of the human cervix on the basis of seroepidemiological data. Findings providing information on the basis of the association of the HSV-2 genome with cervical cancer cells are presented. A herpesvirus isolated from de generated cervical tumor cells grown in vitro is identified as a type 2 on the basis of biological and immunological prop erties. Surface antigens, HSV-2-specific, are observed in a small proportion of cells from a second culture of cervical tumor cells. Exfoliated but not biopsied tumor cells from patients with cervical carcinoma contain HSV-2 antigens, but virus particles are not observed. Finally, 90% of patients with cervical carcinoma have antibody to a HSV-2-induced antigen different from neutralizing antigens. This antibody, present only in 10% of a matched control group, appears to be of prognostic significance. The results are discussed in terms of the virus-host cell interaction. The data suggest that cervical tumor cells harbor the viral genome in a par tially repressed state characterized by the expression of only some viral functions. Under conditions of stress, such as high pH, complete expression of the viral genome may oc cur resulting in the formation of viral components and/or in fectious virus.