Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis as a Model in Studies on the Role of Papovaviruses in Oncogenesis

Summary

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is a skin disease caused by a generalized infection by verruca virus in which the verrucous lesions usually change into tumors, most frequently Bowen's carcinoma. Lesions from a case in which papovavirus was evident were transmitted to a healthy person, the virus being found in cell nuclei in the wart lesions and also in lesions with some signs of atypia. This fulfilled the condition for recognition of the virus, demonstrated by electron microscopy, as being causatively involved in the verrucous lesions in epidermodysplasia verruciformis and also in the initiation of the morbid process. The virus could not be demonstrated in lesions showing distinct signs of cancer.