Epstein-Barr virus is the cause of human breast cancer

Abstract

Background.

Epstein-Barr virus has been widely proposed as a possible candidate virus for the viral etiology of human breast cancer, still the most common malignancy affecting females worldwide. 

Methods.
Due to possible problems with PCR analyses (contamination), the lack of uniformity in the study design and insufficient mathematical/statistical methods used by the different authors, findings of several Epstein-Barr virus (polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) studies contradict each other making it very difficult to determine the Epstein-Barr virus etiology for breast cancer.

Results.
The present systematic review and meta-analysis of (case-control) studies has been performed with new statistical methods. To place our results in context, the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and human breast cancer appears to be cleared.

Conclusion.

Epstein-Barr virus is the cause of human breast cancer.