Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Viral infection is an indisputable causal factor for nearly 17% of all human cancers. However, the diversity and complexity of oncogenic mechanisms raises new questions as to the mechanistic role of viruses in cancer. Classical viral oncogenes have been identified for all tumor-associated viruses. These oncogenes can have multiple oncogenic activities that may or may not be utilized in a particular tumor cell. In addition, stochastic events, like viral mutation and integration, as well as heritable host susceptibilities and immune deficiencies are also implicated in tumorigenesis. A more contemporary view of tumor biology highlights the importance of evolutionary forces that select for phenotypes better adapted to a complex and changing environment. Given the challenges of prioritizing singular mechanistic causes, it may be necessary to integrate concepts from evolutionary theory and systems biology to better understand viral cancer-driving forces. Here, we propose that viral infection provides a biological "entropy" that increases genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity, accelerating the main driving forces of cancer cell evolution. Viruses can also influence the evolutionary selection criteria by altering the tumor microenvironment and immune signaling. Utilizing concepts from cancer cell evolution, population genetics, thermodynamics, and systems biology may provide new perspectives on viral oncogenesis and identify novel therapeutic strategies for treating viruses and cancer.
Source: Frontiers in Virology
Authors: Italo Tempera, Paul M. Lieberman
Institution: The Wistar Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,900
Awards: G194090134, G301720901, G567678477, Role of Nuclear Lamina in the epigenetic regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection, G9000232577, Epigenetic Regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus, Epigenomic Control of KSHV Latency, Regulation of EBV Latency by Purine Metabolism and Signaling, Regulation of Viral Chromatin Architecture During EBV Latency
OpenAlex ID: W3211777932