Erratum to: Mouse mammary tumor-like virus (MMTV) is present in human breast tissue before development of virally associated breast cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13027-016-0113-6.].

Mouse mammary tumor-like virus (MMTV) is present in human breast tissue before development of virally associated breast cancer.

Background: There is substantial evidence that a virus homologous to mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) may have a role in human breast cancer. The present study indicates that those who developed breast cancer associated with an MMTV-like virus had this virus in their non-cancerous breast tissues years before the cancer developed.

Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques and sequencing were used to identify MMTV-like envelope gene sequences (MMTV-like sequences) in Australian benign breast biopsy specimens from women who several years later developed breast cancer.

Human Mammary Tumor Virus (HMTV) sequences in human milk.

Background: Retroviral sequences 90-95% homologous to the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) were present in 38% of the breast cancers studied from American women and were not detectable in non-tumor breast tissue from the same patient. The entire proviral structure was described and viral particles were isolated from primary cultures of human breast cancer. This virus was designated as human mammary tumor virus (HMTV).