title: Oncological consequences of impaired immune surveillance against ubiquitous viruses.
abstract: The immune system is constantly challenged by ubiquitous viruses. Multiple immune defenses have evolved to meet these challenges, and thus immunocompetent individuals successfully respond to infection without sequela. X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome patients, renal allograft recipients, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients share impaired immune surveillance as a common feature. Such individuals are variously susceptible to numerous untoward complications following infection with Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis B virus. We hypothesize that failure of the immune system to control these viruses is instrumental in the occurrence of some B-cell lymphomas. Kaposi's sarcoma, and squamous-cell and hepatocellular carcinomas. Herein we review some mechanisms responsible for the breakdown of immune surveillance and the permissive role immunodeficiency plays in viral oncogenesis.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000276:immunology*; D002472:Cell Transformation, Viral; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007157:Immunologic Surveillance; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D012729:Sex Chromosome Aberrations; D014960:X Chromosome