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Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
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Published on: January 7, 2019

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Implications of viral infection in cancer development

Caroline Kellogg1, Valentina L Kouznetsova2, Igor F Tsigelny3

  • 1REHS Program, San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|September 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Human oncogenic viruses can cause cancer by altering cell growth, immortalization, and inflammation pathways. This review examines how twelve viruses use these mechanisms, including viral DNA insertion and miRNA deregulation, to promote cancer development.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Viruses have been implicated in cancer development since 1964.
  • Viral proteins can mimic cancer-driving mutations by modulating cellular pathways.
  • Viral DNA integration and microRNA (miRNA) deregulation are key mechanisms in viral oncogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of twelve distinct viruses in cancer development.
  • To elucidate the specific mechanisms viruses employ to induce oncogenesis.
  • To enhance understanding of cancer development through viral transformation insights.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of oncogenic viruses and their mechanisms.
  • Analysis of viral modulation of cellular proliferation, immortalization, and inflammation.
  • Examination of viral DNA integration and miRNA deregulation in oncogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Twelve human oncogenic viruses are discussed.
  • Viruses utilize modulation of cellular pathways, DNA insertion, and miRNA deregulation to promote cancer.
  • Viral proteins can functionally replace or mimic oncogenic mutations.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding viral oncogenesis mechanisms provides insight into general cancer development.
  • Targeting viral pathways could offer novel cancer prevention or treatment strategies.
  • Further research into specific viral-host interactions is crucial for advancing oncology.
Keywords:
OncogenesisOncogenic virusOncovirus

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