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The Role of Viruses in Carcinogenesis and Molecular Targeting: From Infection to Being a Component of the Tumor Microenvironment.
Dzobo, Kevin.
  • Dzobo K; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town Component, Cape Town, South Africa.
OMICS ; 25(6): 358-371, 2021 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1243453
ABSTRACT
About a tenth of all cancers are caused by viruses or associated with viral infection. Recent global events including the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic means that human encounter with viruses is increased. Cancer development in individuals with viral infection can take many years after infection, demonstrating that the involvement of viruses in cancer development is a long and complex process. This complexity emanates from individual genetic heterogeneity and the many steps involved in cancer development owing to viruses. The process of tumorigenesis is driven by the complex interaction between several viral factors and host factors leading to the creation of a tumor microenvironment (TME) that is ideal and promotes tumor formation. Viruses associated with human cancers ensure their survival and proliferation through activation of several cellular processes including inflammation, migration, and invasion, resistance to apoptosis and growth suppressors. In addition, most human oncoviruses evade immune detection and can activate signaling cascades including the PI3K-Akt-mTOR, Notch and Wnt pathways associated with enhanced proliferation and angiogenesis. This expert review examines and synthesizes the multiple biological factors related to oncoviruses, and the signaling cascades activated by these viruses contributing to viral oncogenesis. In particular, I examine and review the Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomaviruses, and Kaposi's sarcoma herpes virus in a context of cancer pathogenesis. I conclude with a future outlook on therapeutic targeting of the viruses and their associated oncogenic pathways within the TME. These anticancer strategies can be in the form of, but not limited to, antibodies and inhibitors.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Retroviridae / Sarcoma, Kaposi / Tumor Virus Infections / Retroviridae Infections / Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Papillomavirus Infections / Neoplasms Type of study: Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: OMICS Journal subject: Molecular Biology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Omi.2021.0052

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Retroviridae / Sarcoma, Kaposi / Tumor Virus Infections / Retroviridae Infections / Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Papillomavirus Infections / Neoplasms Type of study: Prognostic study Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: OMICS Journal subject: Molecular Biology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Omi.2021.0052