Drs. Carbone and Rizzo Michele Carbone, M.D. Assistant Professor Maurizio Bocchetta, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor Oncology Institute Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center Dr. Carbone's Phone:�(708) 327-3250 E-mail:� [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dr. Bocchetta's Phone: (708) 327-3134 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Fax:�(708) 327-3238 Dr. Bocchetta SV40 AS A POTENTIAL CARCINOGEN IN HUMANS� The research of Drs. Bocchetta and Carbone focuses on the molecular biology of simian virus 40 (SV40).� This virus is highly oncogenic in rodents, but the biologic effects in humans are still unclear.� In recent years they have identified SV40 sequences in several human tumors such as osteosarcomas, mesotheliomas, ependymomas, and choroid plexus tumors.� Mesothelioma is a malignancy of the membrane lining the serous cavities.� This tumor has been associated to asbestos exposure.� Yet the mechanism by which asbestos induces mesothelioma is unknown.� Moreover, at least 20% of mesotheliomas in the United States are not associated with asbestos exposure, and only a minority of people exposed to high concentrations of asbestos develop mesothelioma. � This suggests that additional factors render certain individuals more susceptible to asbestos carcinogenicity. They have found the presence of SV40 in 60 to 83% of mesotheliomas in the U.S.� They have also demonstrated that SV40 Tag, isolated from frozen biopsies of human mesothelioma, binds each of the retinoblastoma family proteins: � pRb, p107, and pRb2/p130.� These proteins are phosphorylated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, have cell growth suppressive properties, and bind to specific members of the E2F family and various cyclins.� Furthermore, in SV40-positive mesothelioma cell extracts, SV40 Tag retains its ability to bind and to inactivate p53, a cellular protein that when normally expressed, plays an important role in suppressing tumor growth.� These findings raised the possibility that SV40 may play a central role (alone or in combination with asbestos) in the onset and/or the progression of mesothelioma.� Presently, they are investigating the molecular mechanisms by which SV40 and asbestos may interact during the process of mesothelial cell transformation. Graduate Student and Resident Participation In order to create a lively, diversified environment, their research group is composed of investigators with different expertise and research backgrounds.� Any contribution by Loyola's students and staff is welcome.� The techniques they employ range from tissue culture to advanced molecular biology and biochemistry.� All interested individuals should contact Dr. Carbone, Dr. Bocchetta, or Dr. Rizzo directly. Selected Publications Testa JR, Carbone M, Hirvonen A, Khalili K, Krynska B, Linnainmaa K, Pooley FD, Rizzo P, Rusch V, Xiao GH.� A multi-institutional study confirms the presence and expression of simian virus 40 in human malignant mesotheliomas.�Cancer Res. 1998;58(20):4505-9. Pass HI, Donington JS, Wu P, Rizzo P, Nishimura M, Kennedy R, Carbone M.� Human mesotheliomas contain the simian virus-40 regulatory region and large tumor antigen DNA sequences.� J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.� 1998;116(5):854-9. De Luca A, Baldi A, Esposito V, Howard CM, Bagella L, Rizzo P, Caputi M, Pass HI, Giordano GG, Baldi F, Carbone M, Giordano A. � The retinoblastoma gene family pRb/p105, p107, pRb2/p130, and simian virus-40 large T-antigen in human mesotheliomas.�Nat Med.�1997;3(8):913-6. Carbone M, Rizzo P, Grimley PM, Procopio A, Mew DJ, Shridhar V, de Bartolomeis A, Esposito V, Giuliano MT, Steinberg SM, Levine AS, Giordano A, Pass HI.� Simian virus-40 large T-antigen binds p53 in human mesotheliomas.�Nat Med. 1997;3(8):908-912. Carbone M, Rizzo P, Procopio A, Giuliano M, Pass HI, Gebhardt MC, Mangham C, Hansen M, Malkin DF, Bushart G, Pompetti F, Picci P, Levine AS, Bergsagel JD, Garcea RL.� SV40-like sequences in human bone tumors.�Oncogene. 1996;13(3):527-35. � 2000 Loyola University Health System. All rights reserved.Return to Alphabetic Faculty List� |� Return to Divisional Faculty List Return to Pathology Home Page� LUHS|� LUMC | � LUMEN |� SSOM |� LUC | � Comments � |� Disclaimer These pages are best viewed with Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Internet Explorer 3.0 and above.
