Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 3, 2025

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation
03:20

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation

Published on: August 19, 2025

1.4K

Viruses and Skin Cancer

Sara Becerril1, Roberto Corchado-Cobos2,3, Natalia García-Sancha2,3

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo San Vicente 58-182, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

Insights

This review highlights how viruses like human papillomavirus, Merkel cell polyomavirus, and human herpesvirus 8 are linked to skin cancers. Understanding these viral agents improves skin cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Virology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Recent advancements in virology and skin cancer research have significantly impacted medical treatments.
  • These discoveries offer new therapeutic and preventive options for patients with skin cancer.
  • Our understanding of skin cancer biology has notably advanced due to these findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review viral agents implicated in various types of skin cancer, focusing on solid tumors.
  • To examine the specific roles of human papillomavirus (HPV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on viral oncogenesis and skin malignancies.
  • Focused analysis on the association between specific viruses and distinct skin cancer types.

Main Results:

  • Human papillomavirus is a key factor in squamous cell cancers.
  • Merkel cell polyomavirus is etiologically linked to Merkel cell carcinoma.
  • Human herpesvirus 8 is associated with the development of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Conclusions:

  • Viral infections are significant contributors to the development of certain skin cancers.
  • Identifying these viral links offers targeted approaches for diagnosis and therapy.
  • Further research into virus-driven skin carcinogenesis can lead to improved patient outcomes.
Keywords:
HPVKaposi’s sarcomaMerkel cell carcinomacervical cancercutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

More Related Videos

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate DMBA-TPA04:12

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate DMBA-TPA

Published on: December 19, 2019

14.8K
Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 111:56

Ex Vivo Infection of Murine Epidermis with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1

Published on: August 24, 2015

11.4K

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
5.0K
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

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...
5.7K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

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...
5.6K
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
4.5K
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

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...
7.1K
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
595