Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2025

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
12:42

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo

Published on: January 7, 2019

9.4K

Exploring viral mimicry combined with epigenetics and tumor immunity: new perspectives in cancer therapy

Ruirui Wang1, Xin Dong2, Xiongjian Zhang1

  • 1Department of Radiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Tongzipo Road 138, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.

International Journal of Biological Sciences
|February 3, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Viral mimicry, triggered by endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), enhances anti-tumor immunity. Epigenetic alterations regulate ERV expression, offering new cancer immunotherapy strategies by restoring ERV activity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Epigenetics
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Viral mimicry involves endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) activating immune responses.
  • Epigenetic modifications critically influence cancer development and treatment resistance.
  • DNA methylation alterations are linked to suppressed ERV expression in tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the interplay between viral mimicry, epigenetics, and tumor immunotherapy.
  • To explore synergistic effects for novel cancer treatment strategies.
  • To provide a theoretical basis for enhancing tumor immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of viral mimicry mechanisms.
  • Analysis of epigenetic regulation in cancer.
  • Exploration of ERV activation in tumor microenvironments.

Main Results:

  • Viral mimicry, via ERVs, can stimulate anti-tumor immune responses.
  • Epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, regulate ERV expression.
  • Demethylation therapies may reactivate ERVs, boosting anti-tumor immunity.

Conclusions:

  • Viral mimicry and epigenetics are key regulators of tumor immunity.
  • Targeting ERV expression through epigenetic manipulation is a promising immunotherapy approach.
  • Understanding these interactions can lead to more effective cancer treatments.
Keywords:
DNA methylationEndogenous retrovirusesEpigenetic therapyHypomethylating agentsTumor treatmentViral mimicry

More Related Videos

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells09:01

Analysis of Human T Cell Activity in an Allogeneic Co-Culture Setting of Pre-Treated Tumor Cells

Published on: March 7, 2025

271
Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine09:15

Experimental Melanoma Immunotherapy Model Using Tumor Vaccination with a Hematopoietic Cytokine

Published on: February 24, 2023

3.3K

Related Concept Videos

Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
464
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
329
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
6.5K
Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers01:51

Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers

Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
5.0K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
4.8K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
833