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Epigenetics of Virus-Induced Tumors: Perspectives for Therapeutic Targeting

Svetlana Vinokurova1

  • 1NN Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center, Moscow. Russian Federation.

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|August 23, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Human oncoviruses, or cancer-causing viruses, contribute to 15-20% of global cancers. Epigenetic reprogramming is key to understanding and treating virus-induced cancers with new drug therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Approximately 15-20% of human cancers globally are linked to viral infections.
  • Seven human DNA and RNA viruses, known as oncoviruses, are recognized carcinogens contributing to diverse cancer types.
  • Oncoviruses employ sophisticated molecular strategies, including viral oncoproteins and non-coding RNAs, to manipulate host cellular pathways for replication and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the critical role of epigenetic reprogramming in virus-induced carcinogenesis.
  • To explore how understanding the interplay between oncoviruses and host epigenetics can inform cancer intervention strategies.
  • To highlight advancements in epigenetic pharmacological tools for modulating virus-host interactions and treating virus-associated cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on molecular mechanisms of oncoviruses.
  • Analysis of epigenetic alterations in virus-induced cancers.
  • Examination of current and ongoing clinical trials involving epigenetic drugs for viral cancers.

Main Results:

  • Oncoviruses utilize common strategies to induce cancer, affecting cellular processes at genetic and epigenetic levels.
  • Epigenetics provides crucial insights into the complex interactions between oncoviruses and host cells.
  • Progress in epigenetic drug development offers new therapeutic avenues for virus-induced cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Epigenetic reprogramming is a central mechanism in virus-induced carcinogenesis.
  • Targeting epigenetic modifications presents promising strategies for novel cancer therapies.
  • Clinical trials investigating epigenetic drugs show potential for treating various virus-associated cancers, often in combination therapies.
Keywords:
DNA methylationOncovirusesepigeneticshistone modificationhuman cancernon-coding RNA

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