Virus-like particles in a human primary hepatocarcinoma

Histology and ultrastructural aspects of virus-induced primary liver cancer and transplantable hepatomas of viral origin in chickens

The macroscopic, light microscopic and electron microscopic features and biological properties of MC-29 virus-induced hepatocellular carcinomas in chickens are described. The tumors developed in noncirrhotic livers within a very short time and formed metastases. Virus production was also evidenced in the tumors. There were also indications of virus production in the transplantable tumors. The tumors grew equally well after sc, ip, or im inoculation. In about 25% of the tumor-bearing animals, tumorous nodules developed in the liver. It could not be established whether they were metastases or primary liver cancers induced by viruses released from the transplantable tumors.

Primary hepatoma and hepatitis-associated antigen in a young white woman

A young woman whose serum was positive for hepatitis-associated antigen (H.A.A.) and alpha-fetoprotein developed a malignant hepatoma. Though the light-microscopical appearances of the surrounding liver tissue were normal, electronmicroscope examination of the tumour tissue disclosed both C-virus-like particles and H.A.A. particles. Possibly there was a causal connexion between one of these particles and the hepatoma.