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Chronic Viral Infections and Cancer, Openings for Therapies and Vaccines

Maria G Isaguliants1, Alexander V Ivanov2, Franco M Buonaguro3

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.

Cancers
|February 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Infectious agents cause about 16% of all cancers globally. Understanding these links is crucial for developing effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infections are a significant global cause of cancer, accounting for approximately one in six cancer cases worldwide.
  • This highlights the critical role of infectious agents in cancer etiology and the need for targeted interventions.

Discussion:

  • The burden of infection-related cancers varies geographically and by specific pathogen.
  • Key oncogenic infections include human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Helicobacter pylori, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

Key Insights:

  • Identifying and targeting oncogenic infections presents a major opportunity for cancer prevention.
  • Vaccination (e.g., against HPV and HBV) and antimicrobial treatments are vital strategies.

Outlook:

  • Continued research into novel oncogenic pathogens and host-pathogen interactions is essential.
  • Integrating infection control measures into cancer control programs can reduce the global cancer burden.

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