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Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

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Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

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Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...

Cancer Prevention

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Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
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Cancer Prevention

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Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2026

In Vitro Establishment of a Genetically Engineered Murine Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line using an Adeno-Associated Virus-Cas9 System

In Vitro Establishment of a Genetically Engineered Murine Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line using an Adeno-Associated Virus-Cas9 System

Published on: January 9, 2020

Viruses associated with human cancer.

Margaret E McLaughlin-Drubin¹, Karl Munger

¹The Channing Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 8th Floor, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. mdrubin@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|January 19, 2008

Summary

Viruses cause 15-20% of human cancers by hijacking cell pathways. Studying these oncogenic viruses reveals crucial cellular networks involved in cancer development and immune response.

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In Vitro Establishment of a Genetically Engineered Murine Head and Neck Cancer Cell Line using an Adeno-Associated Virus-Cas9 System

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Published on: November 2, 2013

Area of Science:

Oncology
Virology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Viral infections are linked to 15-20% of human cancers.
Viruses, as intracellular parasites, reprogram host cell signaling pathways controlling proliferation, differentiation, cell death, genomic integrity, and immune recognition.
Cellular processes are regulated by complex networks, with surveillance mechanisms removing aberrant cells.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how oncogenic viruses exploit cellular regulatory networks.
To understand the role of viral proteins in reprogramming host cells.
To utilize viral models for discovering key cancer-related cellular mechanisms.

Main Methods:

Analysis of viral protein functions in host cell reprogramming.
Investigation of cellular signaling pathways targeted by viruses.
Comparative study of viral and non-viral cancer mechanisms.

Main Results:

Oncogenic viruses target cellular regulatory nodes with limited redundancy.
Viruses inactivate host surveillance mechanisms that detect abnormal cells.
Key proteins in viral-cancer networks are also mutated in non-viral cancers.

Conclusions:

Oncogenic viruses serve as critical models for identifying and studying cellular networks involved in cancer.
These studies have led to the discovery of oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and critical regulatory pathways.
Understanding viral oncogenesis enhances knowledge of fundamental cancer biology and immune surveillance.