Biography

Dr. Whitby received a B.Sc from the University of Surrey and a Ph.D from the Institute of Cancer Research, University of London. Dr. Whitby joined the Viral Epidemiology Branch in 1999 and is head of the Viral Epidemiology Laboratory at the NCI-Frederick.

Research Interests

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and other oncogenic viruses

Studying the biology and epidemiology of oncogenic viruses such as Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) will help us to understand the pathogenesis of cancers caused by viruses. Laboratory techniques in molecular biology and immunology are rapidly advancing, and the Viral Epidemiology Laboratory aims to find new ways to exploit such advances in an epidemiological setting.

Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus

Both serological and molecular methods for identifying Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection in asymptomatic individuals are problematic. We have evaluated many assay combinations and are using the best currently available assays for epidemiological studies of KSHV infection and disease. Major questions in KSHV epidemiology include why there are such striking geographical differences in the prevalence of KSHV, what are the routes of transmission of this virus, and what are the risk factors for KSHV infection and disease.

We have developed an in vitro KSHV activation assay that uses real time PCR to measure virus reactivation in the latently infected primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cell line BCP-1. We are using this assay to screen a natural products library for potential environmental co-factors for KSHV shedding, transmission, and pathogenesis in collaboration with the NCI's Natural Products Branch.

In collaboration with the Department for Epidemiology and Cancer Registry, Institut Catalá d'Oncologia, Barcelona, Spain, we are participating in a multicentric case-control study of lymphoma in Europe coordinated by International Agency for Research on Cancer. The EPILYMPH study will examine the etiology of hematological malignancies, and we will lead the studies on KSHV.

Other Viruses

Aspects of HTLV-1 entry and tropism are being studied in collaboration with Dr. Kathy Jones in order to gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms of HTLV-1 transmission and pathogenesis. Studies have been initiated to identify new oncogenic viruses using modern molecular techniques combined with insights from previous epidemiological studies.

Keywords

• activation; HHV-8/KSHV; Kaposi's sarcoma; lymphoma; transmission

Selected Publications

• Whitby D, et al. "Human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence in blood donors and lymphoma patients from different regions of Italy." J Natl Cancer Inst 1998; 90: 395-397.
• Sitas F, et al. "The seroepidemiology of HHV-8/KSHV in cancer patients in Johannesburg, South Africa." N Engl J Med 1999; 340:1863-1871.
• Smith N, et al. "Serologic evidence of human herpesvirus 8 transmission by homosexual but not heterosexual sex." J Infect Dis 1999; 180:600-606.
• Whitby D, et al. "Detection of antibodies to human herpesvirus 8 in Italian children: evidence for horizontal transmission." Br J Cancer 2000; 82:702-704.

Collaborators

DCEG Collaborators

• Robert Biggar, M.D.; Neil Caporaso, M.D.; Eric Engels, M.D.; James Goedert, M.D.; Michie Hisada, M.D.,Sc.D.; Elizabeth Maloney, Dr.P.H.; Thomas O'Brien, M.D.; Charles Rabkin, M.D.

Other NCI Collaborators

• Larry Arthur, Ph.D.; Mary Carrington, Ph.D.; Michael Dean, Ph.D.; Kathy Jones, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Lifson, Ph.D.; Richard Little, M.D.; Thomas McCloud, Ph.D.; Judy Mikovits, Ph.D.; David Newman, Ph.D.; Jeffrey Rossio, Ph.D..; Frank Ruscetti, Ph.D.; Robert Shoemaker, Ph.D.; Robert Yarchoan, M.D.

Other NIH Collaborators

• Steve Jacobson, M.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Other ScientificCollaborators

• Francis Black, M.D., Yale University, New Haven, CT
• Marnix Bosch, Ph.D., Northwest Hospital, Seattle, WA
• Dirk Dittmer, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK
• Gary Hayward, Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
• Henrik Hjalgrim, Ph.D.; Morten Frish, M.D.; Mads Melbye, M.D., Danish Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dean Kedes, Ph.D., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• Philip Pellet, Ph.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Sylvia de Sanjose, Ph.D., Institut Catal dOncologia, Barcelona, Spain
• Freddy Sitas, Ph.D., South African Institute for Medical Research Johannesburg, South Africa