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The Role of HERV-K in Cancer Stemness

Sarah R Rivas1, Mynor J Mendez Valdez2, Vaidya Govindarajan2

  • 1Surgical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.

Viruses
|September 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) is implicated in cancer by promoting stemness. Targeting HERV-K (HML-2) proteins may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for various cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Virology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Human endogenous retrovirus-K (HERV-K) is the most recent retroviral addition to the human genome.
  • HERV-K (HML-2) elements are usually silenced in healthy adults but are dysregulated in various cancers.
  • Aberrant HERV-K expression is linked to cancer stem cell characteristics and dedifferentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of HERV-K (HML-2) in cancer promotion and maintenance.
  • To explore HERV-K (HML-2) as a potential therapeutic target in oncology.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating HERV-K (HML-2) expression in cancer.
  • Analysis of evidence linking HERV-K (HML-2) to cancer stem cell properties.
  • Evaluation of HERV-K (HML-2) protein dependency in tumor survival.

Main Results:

  • Dysregulated HERV-K (HML-2) elements are observed across multiple cancer types, including breast, germ cell, pancreatic, melanoma, and brain cancers.
  • HERV-K (HML-2) expression promotes stem cell markers and dedifferentiation, contributing to cancer stemness.
  • Certain tumors exhibit dependency on HERV-K (HML-2) proteins for their survival.

Conclusions:

  • HERV-K (HML-2) plays a significant role in the promotion and maintenance of cancer stem cells.
  • HERV-K (HML-2) represents a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Keywords:
HERV-Kcarcinogenesishuman endogenous retrovirusesstem cell phenotypes

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