Abstract
The first consistent observations that viruses could be associated with some types of cancer where made almost a century ago. Since then researchers have spent a great deal of effort to address the infectious origins of human cancer. As a result of these studies, a strong link between some viral agents and several human cancers has been established. Some viruses as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) and several human papillomavirus types (including types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 66) have been classified as group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC). Infection by these viruses constitutes a heavy burden for human populations as it accounts for almost 15% of all human malignancies. Furthermore, many other viral agents have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans and others have been occasionally found in human tumors suggesting that this figure may be an underestimation of virus involvement in the etiology of human cancer. Therefore, viral infection appears as one of the main preventable cancer risk factors. We summarize the current state of knowledge concerning virus-induced/associated cancers and discuss its significance in the context of human carcinogenesis. Prevention and control of infection by these agents could dramatically reduce the incidence of some prevalent cancers and, consequently, have a great impact on public health.
Keywords: Tumor virus, oncogenes, EBV, HBV, HCV, HIV, HTLV-I, HPV
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Viral Origins of Human Cancer
Volume: 14 Issue: 24
Author(s): E. Boccardo, L. L. Villa, E. Boccardo and L. L. Villa
Affiliation:
Keywords: Tumor virus, oncogenes, EBV, HBV, HCV, HIV, HTLV-I, HPV
Abstract: The first consistent observations that viruses could be associated with some types of cancer where made almost a century ago. Since then researchers have spent a great deal of effort to address the infectious origins of human cancer. As a result of these studies, a strong link between some viral agents and several human cancers has been established. Some viruses as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I) and several human papillomavirus types (including types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 66) have been classified as group 1 carcinogens by the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC). Infection by these viruses constitutes a heavy burden for human populations as it accounts for almost 15% of all human malignancies. Furthermore, many other viral agents have been classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans and others have been occasionally found in human tumors suggesting that this figure may be an underestimation of virus involvement in the etiology of human cancer. Therefore, viral infection appears as one of the main preventable cancer risk factors. We summarize the current state of knowledge concerning virus-induced/associated cancers and discuss its significance in the context of human carcinogenesis. Prevention and control of infection by these agents could dramatically reduce the incidence of some prevalent cancers and, consequently, have a great impact on public health.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Boccardo E., Villa L. L., Boccardo E. and Villa L. L., Viral Origins of Human Cancer, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 14 (24) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707782023316
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707782023316 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Elucidation of Pathophysiology and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry COX-2 Selective Inhibitors, Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibition and Anticancer Properties of Sulfonamides Belonging to This Class of Pharmacological Agents
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Application of Stimuli-responsive Nanocarriers for Targeted Drug Delivery
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Drug Targets of Migraine and Neuropathy: Treatment of Hyperexcitability
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets In Vivo DNA Electrotransfer for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Current Drug Metabolism Targeting Tumor Lymphangiogenesis: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Design and Synthesis of 4(1H)-quinolone Derivatives as Autophagy Inducing Agents by Targeting ATG5 Protein
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Subject Index To Volume 6
Current Molecular Medicine The Role of Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides as Immune Modulator in Vaccine and Drug Development
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Heat Shock Proteins as Prognostic Markers of Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPIONs) for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast, Ovarian and Cervical Cancers
Current Drug Metabolism The Adjunctive Value of Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Diagnosis and Follow Up of Uterovaginal Diffuse B-cell Lymphoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Current Medical Imaging Restoring p53 Function in Cancer: Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Applying the Brakes to Tumorigenesis
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Exploiting Cyclooxygenase-(in)Dependent Properties of COX-2 Inhibitors for Malignant Glioma Therapy
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry It is All About Proteases: From Drug Delivery to In Vivo Imaging and Photomedicine
Current Medicinal Chemistry Mechanisms of Action and Chemical-Biological Interactions Between Ozone and Body Compartments: A Critical Appraisal of the Different Administration Routes
Current Drug Therapy The Application of Proteomics in Neurology
Current Proteomics Curcumin: Not So Spicy After All
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry The Applications of Targeting Anti-Cancer Agents in Cancer Therapeutics
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Microfluidic approaches to synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-FTIR) spectral microscopy of living biosystems
Protein & Peptide Letters