From the July 2010 newsletter of the Hunter-Hopkins Centre

XMRV update: the controversy

Xenotropic Murine leukemia virus-Related Virus (XMRV) is an authentic and novel retrovirus that was first discovered in men with hereditary prostate cancer, but was subsequently described in up to 97% of individuals with CFS as well (Lombardi VC, Science, 23 Oct 2009). It is not clear, however, if XMRV causes CFS or is just associated with CFS (that is, it likes to settle in persons with CFS).  Although many antiviral drugs have been considered for treatment of this virus, only four are currently considered ‘possibly effective.’  So there is no known treatment at this time.