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NK cells and virus-related cancers

Rabinarayan Mishra1, Raymond Welsh1, Eva Szomolanyi-Tsuda1

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS9-2051, Worcester, MA 01605.

Critical Reviews in Oncogenesis
|June 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells fight viral infections and may prevent virus-linked cancers. This review explores how NK cells impact seven human cancer-causing viruses.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial immune cells activated during viral infections.
  • NK cells combat viruses by targeting infected cells and modulating adaptive immunity.
  • Emerging evidence suggests NK cells possess anti-cancer properties, particularly against virus-induced tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of NK cells in human cancers associated with viral infections.
  • To examine the mechanisms by which NK cells may restrain the development of virus-induced cancers.
  • To consolidate current evidence on NK cell involvement across seven specific human oncogenic viruses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of experimental and clinical data.
  • Analysis of studies investigating NK cell activity in the context of viral oncogenesis.
  • Identification and discussion of viruses causally linked to human cancers.

Main Results:

  • NK cell activation is a common feature of antiviral responses.
  • Experimental models indicate NK cell-mediated tumor suppression.
  • Evidence links NK cells to the control or progression of cancers caused by Epstein-Barr virus, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Human Papillomavirus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1, and Merkel cell polyomavirus.

Conclusions:

  • NK cells play a multifaceted role in managing viral infections and their associated cancers.
  • Understanding NK cell functions provides insights into novel cancer prevention and treatment strategies.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate NK cell-mediated protection against virus-induced malignancies.

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