Role of viruses in the development of breast cancer
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Date
2013-09-02
Authors
Alibek, Kenneth
Kakpenova, Ainur
Mussabekova, Assel
Sypabekova, Marzhan
Karatayeva, Nargis
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Infectious Agents and Cancer
Abstract
The most common cancer worldwide among women is breast cancer. The initiation, promotion, and progression of this cancer result from both internal and external factors. The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that 18-20% of cancers are linked to infection, and the list of definite, probable, and possible carcinogenic agents is
growing each year. Among them, biological carcinogens play a significant role. In this review, data covering infection-associated breast and lung cancers are discussed and presented as possible involvements as pathogens in cancer. Because carcinogenesis is a multistep process with several contributing factors, we evaluated to what extent
infection is significant, and concluded that members of the herpesvirus, polyomavirus, papillomavirus, and retrovirus families definitely associate with breast cancer. Detailed studies of viral mechanisms support this conclusion, but have presented problems with experimental settings. It is apparent that more effort needs to be devoted to
assessing the role of these viruses in carcinogenesis, by characterizing additional confounding and synergistic effects of carcinogenic factors. We propose that preventing and treating infections may possibly stop or even eliminate certain types of cancers.
Description
Keywords
carcinogenesis, Infectious agents, Breast cancer, Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE