How can viruses living in cells potentially lead to cancer development?

Sourav PanNovember 11, 2024

Answered

Viruses can lead to cancer development through several mechanisms that disrupt normal cellular processes. Here’s how viruses living in cells can contribute to oncogenesis:

Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis

1. Viral Integration into Host DNA:
   • Certain oncogenic viruses, such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), integrate their genetic material into the host cell’s DNA. This integration can disrupt normal gene function, particularly affecting proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor formation. For example, HPV’s E6 and E7 proteins interfere with the function of the p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor pathways, promoting cell cycle progression and inhibiting apoptosis .
2. Activation of Oncogenes:
   • Viruses can carry oncogenes that mimic or alter the regulation of cellular proto-oncogenes. When these viral oncogenes are expressed in host cells, they can drive abnormal cell growth and division. For instance, the HBX protein from HBV promotes cell proliferation and interferes with DNA repair mechanisms, contributing to liver cancer.
3. Chronic Inflammation:
   • Persistent viral infections often lead to chronic inflammation, which can create an environment conducive to cancer development. The inflammatory response can result in DNA damage due to the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other mutagens. This inflammation can also stimulate continuous tissue regeneration, increasing the likelihood of mutations during cell division .
4. Immune Evasion:
   • Oncogenic viruses have evolved mechanisms to evade the host immune response. For example, they may produce proteins that inhibit the action of immune cells or interfere with signaling pathways that would normally trigger an immune response against infected cells. This evasion allows infected cells to survive longer than they should, increasing the chances for mutations that could lead to cancer.
5. Genomic Instability:
   • Viral infections can induce genomic instability by disrupting normal cellular processes involved in DNA repair and replication. This instability can lead to an accumulation of genetic mutations over time, further increasing the risk of malignant transformation. For example, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been shown to affect cellular pathways that regulate apoptosis and promote genomic alterations associated with liver cancer.

Examples of Oncogenic Viruses

Several well-known viruses are associated with specific types of cancer:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Strongly linked to cervical cancer and other anogenital cancers as well as head and neck cancers.
• Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Associated with liver cancer due to chronic infection leading to cirrhosis and inflammation.
• Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): Linked to Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and some gastric cancers.
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): Increases susceptibility to several cancers, including Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma due to its immunosuppressive effects.