Collection
The Interplay Between Viruses and Cancer
Viruses play a complex role in cancer development, often integrating their genetic material into host cells, disrupting normal cellular functions. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prime example, causing cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers by promoting uncontrolled cell growth. Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV) can lead to liver cancer by inducing chronic inflammation and liver cell damage over time. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with lymphomas and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, altering lymphocyte function and promoting tumor formation.
In addition, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) can lead to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma by altering T-cell function and promoting cell proliferation. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) contributes to Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive skin cancer, by integrating its DNA into host cells. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), is linked to Kaposi's sarcoma, a cancer affecting blood vessels, and certain types of lymphomas. Additionally, HIV, while not directly causing cancer, weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These viruses make use of host cellular machinery, evade immune responses, and activate oncogenes, contributing to oncogenesis. Understanding the interplay between viruses and cancer is vital for developing targeted therapies, vaccines, and prevention strategies, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment and management.
This Collection focuses on the interplay between viruses and cancer, from mechanisms of action to cancer development to treatment modalities. We welcome original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, brief communications, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.
Keywords: virus, viruses, cancer, oncogenes, genes, cancer development, tumor development, oncogenesis
Editors
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Vasso Apostolopoulos
Professor, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.
Dr. Apostolopoulos is a Distinguished Professor of Immunology, Head of Immunology and Translational Research at Victoria University, and Program Director at the Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science. Dr. Apostolopoulos is world renowned for her research into cancer vaccines, multiple sclerosis immunotherapy, as well as her research in other autoimmune diseases, rare diseases, infectious diseases and drug addiction. She has published over 500 research papers and books, is ranked in the top 0.2% of researchers worldwide and has received over 100 awards and honors.
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Vivek P Chavda
PhD, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, LM College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
Dr. Chavda is an Assistant Professor (Selection Grade), and a B Pharm and M Pharm Gold medallist at Gujarat Technological University. Before joining academics, he served in the Biologics industry for almost 8 years in the Research and Development of Biologics with many successful regulatory filings. He has more than 170 peer-reviewed publications, 18 book chapters, 10 book chapters under communication, 1 patent in the pipeline, and numerous newsletter articles to his credit.
