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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Microarray-based Identification of Individual HERV Loci Expression: Application to Biomarker Discovery in Prostate Cancer
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Human endogenous retrovirus regulates the initiation and progression of cancers (Review)

Srishti Sahu1, Bharat Singh1, Ambak Kumar Rai1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh 211004, India.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology
|September 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), once considered junk DNA, are reactivated in cancers. Their expression contributes to cancer initiation and progression, highlighting their role in tumorigenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Oncology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Gene expression alterations drive disease initiation, progression, and pathology.
  • Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are ancient viral sequences in the human genome, typically silenced.
  • Epigenetic and transcriptional dysregulation can lead to increased HERV expression in cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of HERVs in the initiation and progression of various cancers.
  • To provide concise information on HERV involvement in tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on HERV expression and cancer.
  • Analysis of studies reporting HERV involvement in cancer development.

Main Results:

  • Certain HERVs are reactivated in cancers due to dysregulation.
  • Intact HERVs can express virus-like particles, peptides, and proteins implicated in cancer.
  • Multiple HERVs are involved in the initiation and progression of diverse cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • HERVs play a significant role in the development of various cancers.
  • Understanding HERV activity is crucial for cancer research and potential therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
EnvHERVcancercarcinogenesisimmune response

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