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Virus and Cancers: Association with the Disease and Therapies

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A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 2880

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Gioacchin Iannolo

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Guest Editor

Department of Research, IRCCS ISMETT (Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta specializzazione), 90100 Palermo, Italy
Interests: neural stem cells; glioblastoma stem cells; cancer stem cells; Zika virus; nervous system development; brain; cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viruses have been associated with cancer for a long time. Indeed, the correlation between infection and neoplastic origin has been clearly demonstrated in many cases. However, for some viruses, the association is still not completely clear at present. Conversely, some viruses show oncolytic effects, reducing tumor size and representing a potential therapeutic tool.

Viruses such as papillomavirus have a well characterized mechanism of action. While this neoplastic transformation is admittedly associated with viruses, the carcinogenic mechanism is intricate. Simply put, some viruses have a carcinogenic action, whereas others have an oncolytic effect.

The viral approach to neoplastic diseases was approved for the first time in China in 2006. At present, several oncolytic viruses ﬁeld have been studied and/or genetically engineered. With this intent, researchers have described herpes virus, adenovirus, vaccinia virus, reovirus, and parvovirus. A genetically modified HSV-1 for use in oncolytic immunotherapy in advanced melanoma (tali-mogenelaherparepvecImlygic®; or T-VEC, previously Oncovex GM-CSF) was introduced in 2015 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Overall, then, these technologies are advancing steadily, and this Issue represents a key site of scientific advancement for specialists in the field.

Dr. Gioacchin Iannolo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

virus
oncovirus
oncolytic therapy
cancer
cancer stem cells

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predictive Value of Various Atypical Cells for the Detection of Human Papillomavirus in Cervical Smears

by Kaori Okayama, Mao Kakinuma, Koji Teruya, Mizue Oda, Masahiko Fujii, Hirokazu Kimura, Toshiyuki Sasagawa and Mitsuaki Okodo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021212 - 19 Jan 2024

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Abstract

It is thought that numerous genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with various atypical cells, such as multinucleated cells, koilocytes, binucleated cells, parakeratotic cells, and giant cells, in the cervix. We previously showed the specificity of HPV genotypes for koilocytes and multinucleated cells. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the association among HPV genotypes and binucleated cells, parakeratotic cells, and giant cells in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. We detected HPV genotypes and atypical cells in 651 cases of liquid-based cytology with an abnormal Pap smear. The HPV genotypes associated with atypical cells were evaluated using stepwise logistic regression with backward elimination and a likelihood ratio test for model construction. Polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the HPV genotypes in whole liquid-based cytology samples and microdissected cell samples from Pap smear slides. Binucleated cells were significantly associated with HPV genotype 42. Moreover, parakeratotic cells were significantly associated with certain HPV genotypes, such as HPV40. However, it was difficult to detect specific HPV genotypes by the manual microdissection-polymerase chain reaction method despite the presence of binucleated cells and parakeratotic cells. Thus, the presence of binucleated cells, parakeratotic cells, and giant cells in Pap smears may not be predictive of cervical lesions above low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or infection with highly carcinogenic HPV genotypes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus and Cancers: Association with the Disease and Therapies)

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12 pages, 7430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oncolytic Effect of Zika Virus in Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Tumors: New Perspectives for Therapeutic Approaches

by Martina Maria Cocco, Claudia Carcione, Vitale Miceli, Rosaria Tinnirello, Cinzia Maria Chinnici, Carmine Carbone, Giovanni Zito, Pier Giulio Conaldi and Gioacchin Iannolo

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(24), 17271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242417271 - 08 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PCa) is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality. Recently, our group and others have demonstrated the oncolytic activity of the Zika virus (ZIKV) against glioblastoma. The peculiar features of this virus offer the opportunity to use an agent already tested in vivo through natural transmission, with minimal effects on adults, to specifically target a tumor such as glioblastoma. This remarkable specificity prompted us to explore the potential use of ZIKV oncolytic action against other tumor types. In particular, we focused on the subgroup of pancreatic tumors with a neuroendocrine origin known as neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). We found that ZIKV exerts its oncolytic activity by specifically infecting NET cells, leading to growth inhibition and cell death. We also assessed whether the oncolytic action could be extended to pancreatic tumors different from NETs. However, as expected, the viral specificity is limited to NETs and is not applicable to adenocarcinoma tumors, indicating a narrow spectrum of action for this virus. These findings support the potential use of ZIKV in therapeutic approaches not only in glioblastoma, but also against other tumors, such as neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus and Cancers: Association with the Disease and Therapies)

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Review

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17 pages, 1983 KiB

Open AccessReview

Navigating the Nexus: HIV and Breast Cancer—A Critical Review

by Andrea Marino, Giuliana Pavone, Federica Martorana, Viviana Fisicaro, Lucia Motta, Serena Spampinato, Benedetto Maurizio Celesia, Bruno Cacopardo, Paolo Vigneri and Giuseppe Nunnari

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3222; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063222 - 12 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1023

Abstract

Despite significant advances in the management of antiretroviral therapy (ART), leading to improved life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH), the incidence of non-AIDS-defining cancers, including breast cancer, has emerged as a critical concern. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology of breast cancer among HIV-infected individuals, highlighting the potential for an altered risk profile, earlier onset, and more advanced disease at diagnosis. It delves into the molecular considerations underpinning the relationship between HIV and breast cancer, including the role of immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and gene expression alterations. Additionally, it examines the complexities of managing breast cancer in the context of HIV, particularly the challenges posed by ART and anticancer agents’ cross-toxicities and drug–drug interactions. The review also addresses survival disparities, underscoring the need for improved cancer care in this population. By identifying gaps in knowledge and areas requiring further research, this review aims to illuminate the complexities of HIV-associated breast cancer, fostering a deeper understanding of its epidemiology, molecular basis, and clinical management challenges, thereby contributing to better outcomes for individuals at the intersection of these two conditions. This narrative review systematically explores the intersection of HIV infection and breast cancer, focusing on the impact of HIV on breast cancer risk, outcomes, and treatment challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Virus and Cancers: Association with the Disease and Therapies)

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