Infection: a Cause of and Cure for Cancer

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewThis article provides a brief overview of the role that infections play in cancer emergence and cancer treatment.Recent FindingsA select number of pathogens have been reported to increase the incidence of specific cancers (directly through altering gene expression or indirectly through inducing chronic inflammation). These have been referred to as oncogenic pathogens. Conversely, a subset of pathogens has been demonstrated to preferentially cause lysis of tumor cells, leading to tumor regression and improved anti-tumor immunity. These have been termed oncolytic pathogens. However, the contribution of non-oncogenic, non-oncolytic pathogens to both tumor growth and regression is likewise being increasingly recognized.SummaryPathogens have both the ability to cause and cure cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying these pathogen-mediated outcomes are not fully understood. With the recent emergence of interest in the immunotherapy of cancer, it is important that future studies focus specifically on preventing the negative effects of oncogenic infections, deconstructing the positive role of oncolytic pathogens, and finally providing insight into the dual roles of non-oncolytic, non-oncogenic pathogens so that anti-pathogen immune responses can be harnessed as a transformative means to treat cancer.

Intratumoral injection of the seasonal flu shot converts immunologically cold tumors to hot and serves as an immunotherapy for cancer

“…and Patients with Tumors in the Lung. Reports describing cancer outcomes in the context of infection have been discordant (18)(19)(20)(21). We recently reported that active influenza virus infection in the lung accelerates early melanoma growth in the skin (22).…”

Graphene Quantum Dot-Based Electrochemical Immunosensors for Biomedical Applications

“…Cancer emerges from the transformation of normal cells into tumor cells in multiple stages, i.e., carcinogenesis/tumorigenesis or oncogenesis, that usually arises from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumor [103,104]. It has now become the leading cause of death in all age groups due to several factors, including exposure to certain radiations [105] and carcinogenic chemicals [106], infection by bio-carcinogens (e.g., certain bacteria, viruses, or parasites) [107], aging, genetic factors, geographic location, and improper and/or unhealthy diet [108,109].…”

“Duel” and “Duet”: The Paradox of Carcinogenic Viruses and Targeted Virotherapeutics

“…Pattern-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), including vDNA, as well as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) from cell lysis, trigger the IL-2 signaling pathway, resulting in the dispatch of CD4+ and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, effectively attacking the cancer. Further release of alert cytokines, including TNF-and other interleukin molecules, results in stimulation of innate immune responses; with subsequent downregulation of MHC-1 production, further activation of innate and adaptive host immunity results in effective destruction of malignant cells and viral material [38].…”