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Infection and cancer: current state of art
1Institute of Social Medicine, University of Graz, Austria.
European Journal of Epidemiology
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Viruses are linked to approximately 10% of human cancers, driving significant research in molecular biology. Further evidence is needed to establish definitive causality for viral oncogenesis and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Empirical evidence links parasitic and viral infectious agents to cancer.
- Viruses are implicated in approximately 10% of all human cancers.
- Viral oncology is a rapidly expanding field of experimental cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of viral association with cancer.
- To highlight the need for further evidence to establish causality.
- To discuss the potential for viral cancer prevention.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing empirical, serologic, and virologic evidence.
- Discussion of advancements in molecular biology techniques.
- Examination of gene expression, cellular enzymes, and transformation mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Viruses are recognized as significant contributors to a subset of human cancers.
- Modern molecular biology has greatly advanced the study of viral oncogenesis.
- Definitive proof of causality for viral-induced cancers is still under investigation.
Conclusions:
- Establishing causality requires comprehensive serologic, virologic, and experimental evidence.
- The prevention of specific viral-associated cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, is theoretically possible with available vaccines.
- Continued research is crucial for understanding and combating viral carcinogenesis.