Cancer and Polyomavirus

Both JC virus and BK virus have demonstrated oncogenicity in Syrial hamsters. Intracerbral inoculation of BKV has been associated with fibrosarcomas, papillary ependymomas, insulinomas of the pancreas, choroid plexus papillomas, osteosarcomas and more. JCV (inoculated in the eye, brain, peritoneum, and below the skin) is particularly associated with brain tumors, neruoblasoma, retinoblastoma, sarcomma, and even malignant gliomas in owl monkeys.

JCV and BKV transform some cells (including human) in culture.

Investigations examining the presence of the viral genome in tumors, a higher presence of BKV or JCV infection in patients with cancer have found little supporting evidence that either virus play a role in causing cancer in humans.

Reference:

Padgett, Billie "Investigations into the Possible Role of the Human Polyomaviruses in Human Cancer" In Giraldo and Beth (eds) The Role of Viruses in Human Cancer, Vol 1 (Page 117- 123)