The Impact of Human Cytomegalovirus on Hormone Receptor Levels in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Though many factors affect breast tumor progression, one potential risk factor seldom investigated is infection. Mounting evidence suggests that Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is associated with reduced expression of hormone receptors in breast cancer and may promote a more invasive tumor phenotype. This project examines the effects of HCMV infection on hormone receptor levels in four breast cancer cell lines. Western blotting Abstracts for Poster Presentations 26 will reveal relative changes in expression of hormone receptors after HCMV infection. Immunofluorescence microscopy will be used to visualize changes in receptor distribution in the tumor cells. The goal is to determine whether HCMV directly causes this loss of hormone receptor expression in breast tumors, which could have a significant impact on the patient treatment options. The long term goal is to improve breast cancer survival rates by including antiviral therapies, if warranted, with other treatment modalities.