Hello,
In my quest for knowledge about possible causes for multiple myeloma, I came across a patient guide that suggested the possibility of multiple myeloma being caused by stealth viruses. I then googled this and found several references to myeloma from researchers at the CCID (Center for Complex Infectious Disease). However this information is dated, mostly from year 1999-2001.
In particular, I looked into contaminated polio vaccines that were administered in the 1960's that carried SV40 virus. This was an issue of contentious debate at the turn of the century but I can't find any recent research. Has anyone else come across similar findings? If so is anything recent?
Would greatly appreciate expert advice on the status of viruses involvement as a causative factor in multiple myeloma. Has it been ruled out? Is there any new information?
Much appreciated,
Jhorner
Forums
9 posts
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jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
Hello Jhorner,
There is very little (if any) research/interest in viruses as a causative agent in multiple myeloma. In addition there is no little or no data to support this concept.
Great question!
There is very little (if any) research/interest in viruses as a causative agent in multiple myeloma. In addition there is no little or no data to support this concept.
Great question!
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Dr. Edward Libby - Name: Edward Libby, M.D.
Beacon Medical Advisor
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
My sense is that researchers are beginning to think that infection, rather than a specific virus or type of bacteria, may play a role in the development of myeloma and its earlier stages.
There was a Beacon article that discussed this last year,
"Respiratory Tract Infections And Shingles Linked To An Increased Risk Of Developing Multiple Myeloma"
Even the study discussed in the above article, however, only finds suggestive evidence that infection may aid the development of myeloma. It doesn't document a causal link.
If you search around, you'll find a number of studies that have found, for example, that myeloma seems to be more common in people who have hepatitis, herpes, or some other viral infections. Just as an example, there's this study from 2005,
Duberg et al, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other nonhepatic malignancies in Swedish patients with hepatitis C virus infection, Hepatology. 2005 Mar;41(3):652-9
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.20608/abstract
But, again, there's no causation, just the fact that you see myeloma more frequently in patients who have this viral infection.
The fact that you're seeing myeloma more frequently in a number of different viral infections really makes you wonder if, as in the study discussed in the Beacon article, the issue is more infection in general being a contributor to the development of myeloma, rather than any particular virus.
There was a Beacon article that discussed this last year,
"Respiratory Tract Infections And Shingles Linked To An Increased Risk Of Developing Multiple Myeloma"
Even the study discussed in the above article, however, only finds suggestive evidence that infection may aid the development of myeloma. It doesn't document a causal link.
If you search around, you'll find a number of studies that have found, for example, that myeloma seems to be more common in people who have hepatitis, herpes, or some other viral infections. Just as an example, there's this study from 2005,
Duberg et al, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and other nonhepatic malignancies in Swedish patients with hepatitis C virus infection, Hepatology. 2005 Mar;41(3):652-9
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.20608/abstract
But, again, there's no causation, just the fact that you see myeloma more frequently in patients who have this viral infection.
The fact that you're seeing myeloma more frequently in a number of different viral infections really makes you wonder if, as in the study discussed in the Beacon article, the issue is more infection in general being a contributor to the development of myeloma, rather than any particular virus.
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
Oops ... I started writing my reply to the original posting before seeing Dr. Libby's reply. I don't think there's necessarily any contradiction between what he wrote and what I wrote. But sorry I didn't mention it in my own posting.
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
Thank you Dr. Libby and Ian! Are myeloma patients tested for viruses routinely? It seems strange that this research suddenly ceased considering it was so definitive 10 years ago. This was noted on the CCID site...which murmurs a relationship. If it were only this easy:)
" Cancer can now be added to the list of potential stealth virus-associated diseases. Positive stealth virus cultures have been seen in virtually all of the multiple myeloma patients tested, and in several patients presenting with other types of tumors. A previous history of a fatiguing illness and clinical indications of impairments in normal brain functions are suggestive of an underlying stealth adapted virus infection in a cancer patient. It will be interesting to determine the effect of stealth-virus suppressive therapy in such patients. "
" Cancer can now be added to the list of potential stealth virus-associated diseases. Positive stealth virus cultures have been seen in virtually all of the multiple myeloma patients tested, and in several patients presenting with other types of tumors. A previous history of a fatiguing illness and clinical indications of impairments in normal brain functions are suggestive of an underlying stealth adapted virus infection in a cancer patient. It will be interesting to determine the effect of stealth-virus suppressive therapy in such patients. "
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jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
It is my understanding that there are some cancers that have been linked to virus infection, but I have not seen anything definitive for myeloma. I found some of the same information about a possible link to the herpes virus or some forms of the herpes virus. This caught my attention, since I had a bad outbreak of oral herpes inside the mouth far beyond just a cold sore, and shingles, just a few years before I was diagnosed with myeloma.
But though this correlation between myeloma and herpes infections may exist, it seems to be a chicken or egg dilemma. Which came first? Did undiagnosed myeloma weaken the immune system and cause the herpes infections, or did the herpes infections cause the myeloma?
My best guess is the myeloma came first.
But though this correlation between myeloma and herpes infections may exist, it seems to be a chicken or egg dilemma. Which came first? Did undiagnosed myeloma weaken the immune system and cause the herpes infections, or did the herpes infections cause the myeloma?
My best guess is the myeloma came first.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
Gee, why do HPV, Gardasil, and various Aero-digestive cancers come to mind ??
Michael Douglas, anyone ?
My sinus based Plasmacytoma, was at the same locale where i had re-current infections, and following a nasty West Nile Virus.
Anectdote?? I don't know.
Michael Douglas, anyone ?
My sinus based Plasmacytoma, was at the same locale where i had re-current infections, and following a nasty West Nile Virus.
Anectdote?? I don't know.
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Rneb
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
The last few posts are very interesting. I had both the chicken pox vaccine right before my MGUS diagnosis and the chicken pox (I guess the vaccine didn't work) right before my SMM diagnosis. However, considering virtually everyone has one or the other in their lifetime, it seems unlikely to be a definitive cause but it could be a factor.
@Rneb, I have chronic sinus infections, with no classic drainage, which is how I was diagnosed with MGUS 8 years ago and now I have a lump in my left cheek. I have had an ultrasound on it 2x and the ENT has assured me that it isn't related to smoldering myeloma.
So I'm curious to know, Rneb: How was your plasmacytoma diagnosed?
Thank you
J
@Rneb, I have chronic sinus infections, with no classic drainage, which is how I was diagnosed with MGUS 8 years ago and now I have a lump in my left cheek. I have had an ultrasound on it 2x and the ENT has assured me that it isn't related to smoldering myeloma.
So I'm curious to know, Rneb: How was your plasmacytoma diagnosed?
Thank you
J
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jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Can viruses cause multiple myeloma?
I am not a doctor, but I do not understand the interest of a vaccine against chickenpox. Is it dangerous to have as an adult? I got it at age 15 (I'm 57), my 3 children have it naturally, etc.
For cons, I made in May 2014, without a prescription, an analysis called "liquid phase isoelectric focusing" ("isofocalisation en phase liquide" laboratory Ategis).
I gave the result to my hematologist. She had been angry, saying that she never gave this type of analysis, and she did not want to interpret (!!!) ....
The lab also does not give me more information, and I found myself with an unusable result.
But, nevertheless, the result said "profile of a viral infection."
Euglobulins stay very high (3 times the standard) , very high humoral immunity, (10 times the standard) etc.
So I ask me if the virus was attacked by my body enough not to get sick, but not enough to completely disappear.
I ask me if the virus has been reactivated (after stress, pregnancy, etc.), and my defenses responded with hyperactivity and bad. (monoclonal peak)
After that, I am not a doctor again, even if it's a track, whether it should make determinations of all antibodies to see if there was reactivated, I'm not sure that this will give an answer to cure myeloma.
For cons, I made in May 2014, without a prescription, an analysis called "liquid phase isoelectric focusing" ("isofocalisation en phase liquide" laboratory Ategis).
I gave the result to my hematologist. She had been angry, saying that she never gave this type of analysis, and she did not want to interpret (!!!) ....
The lab also does not give me more information, and I found myself with an unusable result.
But, nevertheless, the result said "profile of a viral infection."
Euglobulins stay very high (3 times the standard) , very high humoral immunity, (10 times the standard) etc.
So I ask me if the virus was attacked by my body enough not to get sick, but not enough to completely disappear.
I ask me if the virus has been reactivated (after stress, pregnancy, etc.), and my defenses responded with hyperactivity and bad. (monoclonal peak)
After that, I am not a doctor again, even if it's a track, whether it should make determinations of all antibodies to see if there was reactivated, I'm not sure that this will give an answer to cure myeloma.
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Jacqueline - Name: Jacqueline
- When were you/they diagnosed?: november 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
9 posts
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