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Comparing Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Model Established in Mouse Kidney and on Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane
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The Influence of Oncogenic Viruses in Renal Carcinogenesis: Pros and Cons

Bianca Manole1, Costin Damian2, Simona-Eliza Giusca1

  • 1Department of Morphofunctional Sciences I-Histolgy, Pathology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania.

Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This review explores the link between oncogenic viruses and kidney cancer (RCC). BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is the most frequently identified virus associated with RCC, suggesting a potential role in renal carcinogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Viral infections are significant contributors to the global cancer burden.
  • Oncogenic viruses utilize shared host cell targets and pathways to promote carcinogenesis.
  • Understanding viral roles in cancer is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the association between oncogenic viruses (Polyomaviridae, Herpesviridae, Flaviviridae families) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
  • To highlight the involvement of these viruses in the carcinogenic mechanisms of the kidney.
  • To identify potential viral co-factors in RCC development.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature search of PubMed and EMBASE databases (2012-2022).
  • Search terms included: renal cell carcinoma (RCC), urothelial carcinoma, and specific oncogenic viruses (BKPyV, EBV, HCV, HPV, Kaposi Sarcoma Virus).
  • Analysis focused on studies detecting oncogenic viruses in RCC and urothelial carcinoma using methods like immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Main Results:

  • BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) was the virus most frequently associated with RCC.
  • The review analyzed assays for detecting oncogenic viruses in renal and urothelial carcinomas.
  • Identified shared host cell targets and pathways involved in viral carcinogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest a potential viral etiology, at least as a co-factor, in renal malignancy.
  • Understanding viral involvement in RCC pathogenesis can inform new therapeutic approaches.
  • Virus-induced tumors may be preventable through vaccination or targeted therapies like oncolytic viral therapy.
Keywords:
biomarkersoncogenic virusesoncolytic virusesrenal cell carcinomaurothelial carcinoma

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