Prevalence of herpes simplex, varicella zoster and Cytomegalovirus in tumorous and adjacent tissues of patients, suffering from colorectal cancer in Iran

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) can be considered as a result of multiple risks factors, and the significant role of infectious ones, especially viral diseases could not be underestimated. Despite endorsed attempts to identify the accelerating effects of different herpes viridea, such as HSV-1, HSV2, VZV and CMV on the deterioration of different kinds of malignancy, the relationship between these viruses and CRC have not successfully been understood. Taking advantages of these facts, we assessed the role of these viruses on CRC progression. Methods: In this case-control study, 88 cancerous specimens and 70 their adjacent paraffin-embedded tissues from Modares Hospital between 2011 and 2019 were collected. We extracted the DNA of each tissue and investigated the presence of HSV-1, HSV2, VZV and CMV. Results: Our data indicated the presence of HSV-1 DNA in the three control samples; however, we could not find an obvious relationship between HSV2, VZV, CMV infection and this type of cancer. The presence of HSV-1 DNA in control tissues introduced HSV-1 as a probable factor for the killing of colorectal cancer cells. Conclusions: we supposed that HSV-1 can function as an inhibitor of colon cancer progresion, but it is required to studied more in order to find the role of this virus on CRC.

Investigation on colorectal cancer and human herpesvirus infection among Algerian patients

“…On the other hand, epidemiological studies based on diverse techniques do not attribute a major role in the etiology of CRC to any human herpesvirus, regardless of their presence in clinical samples [47][48][49]. In accordance with these findings, serological tests showed no significant differences of antibodies against human herpesviruses between CRC patients and controls [50].…”

Association of Various Viral Infections with the Risk of Gastrointestinal Cancers in the Iranian Population

“…Infection with HSV has been shown to induce esophagitis but the association between HSV and EC needs further investigation. Based on the results of a case-control study performed on 88 paraffin-embedded tissues from CRC patients in Tehran, Iran, no association between this type of cancer was found with HSV and CMV infections 10) . Considering that HSV-DNA was observed in three control samples isolated from tissues adjacent to the neoplastic tissue, it has been suggested that HSV can kill tumor cells and reduce the progression of CRC 10) .…”

“…Based on the results of a case-control study performed on 88 paraffin-embedded tissues from CRC patients in Tehran, Iran, no association between this type of cancer was found with HSV and CMV infections 10) . Considering that HSV-DNA was observed in three control samples isolated from tissues adjacent to the neoplastic tissue, it has been suggested that HSV can kill tumor cells and reduce the progression of CRC 10) . A study in an area with a high prevalence of EC in North Africa found that EC was not associated with CMV 33) .…”

“…Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference has been found in the JCV prevalence between healthy controls and CRC cases in other studies 9) . It has been confirmed that various herpes viruses, such as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 10) , Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) 11) , and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) 5) cause persistent infections and are involved in human carcinogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that EBV may contribute to human CRC.…”

Systemic Diseases and Risk of Developing Gastrointestinal Cancer.

“…[29] Infections Prolonged or untreated infections can also lead to GI cancers. Human papillomavirus, [30] Epstein-Barr virus, [31] Herpes simplex 1 virus [32] and cytomegalovirus [33] are associated with the oesophageal, gastric and CRC. A bacterial infection such as Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of developing gastric cancer.…”