Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Menzies Health Institute Queensland, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.
Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2021 Jan;1875(1):188476. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188476. Epub 2020 Nov 10.
It is well-known that certain cancers are caused by viruses. However, viral oncogenesis is complex and only a small fraction of the infected people develop cancer. Indeed, a number of environmental factors can contribute to virally infected cells developing cancer hallmarks, promoting tumorigenesis.
The hit-and-run theory proposes that viruses facilitate the accumulation of mutations and promote genomic instability until the virus becomes dispensable for tumour maintenance. Indeed, several studies have reported viral genome, episome and/or oncogene loss in tumour cells without losing malignant phenotype.
The current evidence supports the clear contribution of certain viruses to develop cancers. Importantly, the evidence supporting the sustained maintenance of malignancy after the loss of viral "presence" is sufficient to support the hit-and-run hypothesis of viral cancer development. Long-term tracking of vaccination outcome over the decades will test this theory.
If the hit-and-run theory is true, viruses might cause more cancers than previously thought and will have implications in the prevention of many cancers through implementing vaccination programs.
众所周知，某些癌症是由病毒引起的。然而，病毒致癌作用复杂，只有一小部分感染人群会发展为癌症。事实上，许多环境因素可能会导致病毒感染细胞出现癌症特征，促进肿瘤发生。
冲击-逃逸理论提出，病毒促进突变的积累并促进基因组不稳定，直到病毒对肿瘤维持变得可有可无。事实上，有几项研究报告了肿瘤细胞中病毒基因组、附加体和/或癌基因的丢失，而没有失去恶性表型。
目前的证据支持某些病毒对癌症发展的明确贡献。重要的是，支持在病毒“存在”丧失后恶性持续维持的证据足以支持病毒致癌发展的冲击-逃逸假说。几十年来对疫苗接种结果的长期跟踪将检验这一理论。
如果冲击-逃逸理论是正确的，那么病毒可能会导致比以前认为的更多的癌症，并将通过实施疫苗接种计划对许多癌症的预防产生影响。
