Viral Oncology
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract
Viral oncology is an important area of cancer research that explores the complex relationship between oncogenic viruses, host cells, the immune system, and the tumor microenvironment. A subset of human viruses, including human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), contribute to the development of different human malignancies. Viral carcinogenesis involves multiple interconnected mechanisms, including persistent infection, viral oncogene expression, disruption of tumor-suppressor pathways, genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, chronic inflammation, immune evasion, and abnormal cellular signaling. Among these, high-risk HPV has particular clinical importance because of its central role in cervical cancer and other anogenital and oropharyngeal malignancies. This article provides a comprehensive overview of major human oncogenic viruses and their mechanisms of cancer development, with particular emphasis on HPV-associated carcinogenesis, E6/E7-mediated molecular alterations, viral immune evasion, epigenetic regulation, biomarkers, and cervical cancer screening. It also discusses preventive strategies such as HPV and HBV vaccination, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, conventional and emerging therapeutic approaches, immunotherapy, therapeutic vaccines, oncolytic virotherapy, and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems. Emerging approaches including artificial intelligence, RNA-based therapeutics, CRISPR-based strategies, personalized viral oncology, and multi-omics analysis are also highlighted. Overall, integrating viral biology with molecular diagnostics, immunology, advanced therapeutics, and precision medicine may contribute to improved prevention, early detection, and treatment of virus-associated cancers.
Author Affiliations
- 1 Principal, Department of Pharmacology, Shakuntala Patil Bahuuddeshiy Sanstha, Shatabdi Institute of Pharmacy, Samsherpur, Bamdod, Nandurbar, India.