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Multiple infections and cancer: implications in epidemiology
Vidya Vedham1, Rao L Divi, Vaurice L Starks
1Methods and Technologies Branch, Epidemiology and Genomics Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 6130 Executive Boulevard, Suite 5100, Bethesda, MD 20892-7324, USA. vermam@mail.nih.gov.
Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment
|August 8, 2013
Summary
Infectious agents cause 18% of global cancers. Co-infections, especially in developing nations, act as crucial co-factors for cancer initiation, progression, and increased mortality.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infectious agents contribute to approximately 18% of the global cancer burden.
- Chronic infections with agents like hepatitis B/C viruses, human papillomaviruses (HPV), and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are linked to about 15% of human cancers.
- Most individuals infected with oncogenic agents (e.g., HPV, Epstein-Barr virus, H. pylori) do not develop cancer, suggesting additional factors are involved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the role of infectious agents in malignancies.
- To highlight the significance of multiple infections (co-infections) in cancer etiology.
- To review the epidemiological implications of infectious agents and co-infections in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on infectious agents and cancer.
- Analysis of epidemiological data on cancer burden attributed to infections.
- Discussion of mechanisms involving chronic infections and co-infections in cancer development.
Main Results:
- Pathogenic infections are necessary but not sufficient for cancer; co-infections can act as critical co-factors for cancer initiation and progression.
- Opportunistic co-infections can negatively impact cancer treatment response and increase mortality.
- Co-infections are more prevalent in developing countries and can disrupt the host immune system, influencing susceptibility to malignant infections.
Conclusions:
- Infectious agents play a significant role in cancer etiology, particularly in developing countries.
- Understanding the role of co-infections is crucial for cancer prevention, treatment, and epidemiological studies.
- Further research into the interplay between multiple infections and cancer development is warranted.
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