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[Retrovirus and cancer revisited]
1División Medicina Experimental, ILEX-CONICET, Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Medicina
|January 1, 1997
Summary
RNA oncoviruses, discovered in the early 20th century, paved the way for understanding cancer. Modern gene theory now explains cancer as a result of genetic events, with retroviruses playing a potential role.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Oncology
- Genetics and Molecular Biology
Context:
- Historical discovery of RNA oncoviruses (Rous sarcoma virus, Bittner milk factor).
- Evolution of cancer theories from viral to genetic origins.
- Identification of oncogenes, antioncogenes, and their role in cell cycle regulation.
Purpose:
- To trace the historical progression of oncovirus research.
- To explain the shift from viral to gene theory in cancer etiology.
- To highlight key discoveries including reverse transcriptase, HTLV-I, HIV, oncogenes, and antioncogenes.
Summary:
- RNA oncoviruses, initially linked to cancer, led to the oncogene theory.
- Discovery of reverse transcriptase established the Retroviridae family.
- Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were identified.
- Cancer is now understood as a genetic disease involving oncogenes and antioncogenes.
Impact:
- Revolutionized the understanding of cancer causation.
- Established retroviruses as crucial tools and subjects in biological research.
- Current research focuses on the role of endogenous retroviruses in human health.