there sure is --------- back on the other subject - I'm always...

there sure is --------- back on the other subject - I'm always very concerned about new pathogenic viruses - because we just don't know what they are going to do -


Some studies suggest that viral infections may increase the risk of certain hereditary cancers in individuals with genetic predispositions.
## Hereditary Cancer Risk from Viral Infections
While viral oncogenes are not directly inherited, there is evidence that viral infections can interact with inherited genetic factors to increase cancer risk:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases the risk of cervical and other cancers in women with mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes[1][3]. The HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins can interfere with BRCA1/2 tumor suppressor functions.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may increase the risk of liver cancer in individuals with hereditary hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder causing excessive iron accumulation[2].
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has been linked to increased risk of certain lymphomas in people with inherited immune deficiencies or genetic susceptibility factors[2].
- HIV infection and the resulting immunosuppression can increase the cancer risk from other oncogenic viruses like HPV, EBV, HBV in individuals with genetic predispositions[4].
So while the viral oncogenes themselves are not hereditary, viral infections can act as an additional trigger or promoter of cancer development in people with an underlying inherited genetic susceptibility or mutation[1][2][3]. The interplay between the viral infection, oncogenes, and host genetics increases the overall hereditary cancer risk.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10768168/
[2] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fviro.2021.753366/full
[3] https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/30/2/150
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10410670/
[5] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-019-0558-9
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Viral oncogenes are genes carried by certain viruses that can promote cellular transformation and lead to the development of cancer. Several viruses have been implicated in causing various types of cancers through the action of their oncogenes:
1. Human papillomavirus (HPV): The E6 and E7 oncogenes of HPV are associated with cervical cancer, anal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancers.[1]
2. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV): EBV is linked to several lymphomas, including Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders, through the action of its oncogenes like LMP1 and EBNA2.[2]
3. Hepatitis B virus (HBV): The HBx and preS/S oncogenes of HBV play crucial roles in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).[2]
4. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1): The Tax oncogene of HTLV-1 is implicated in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.[2]
5. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8): KSHV is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman's disease through its oncogenes like LANA and vIRF.[2]
6. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV): The large T-antigen and small T-antigen oncogenes of MCPyV are linked to Merkel cell carcinoma, a rare but aggressive skin cancer.[2][3]
7. Avian leukosis virus (ALV) and Marek's disease virus (MDV): These viruses cause cancers in poultry through their oncogenes, serving as valuable models for understanding viral oncogenesis.[5]
These viruses contribute to cancer development by disrupting normal cellular processes like cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA repair through the action of their oncogenes, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and eventual tumor formation.[1][2]

[1] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2023.1333812/full
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742800/
[3] https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/16/3/416
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oncovirus
[5] http://www.pirbrightinnovations.com/our-science/viral-oncogenesis