Viruses and cancers: possible role of hepatitis C virus.
Oncogenesis is a multifactorial process in which environmental, genetic and infectious factors are variably involved. A possible role of specific viruses has been suggested in at least 15% of human cancers. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is both hepato- and lymphotropic, is responsible for various liver disorders, i.e. chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocelluar carcinoma, as well as for a constellation of extrahepatic immune-mediated manifestations, among which is mixed cryoglobulinaemia. This is a systemic disorder secondary to a chronic, benign B-lymphocyte proliferation, which in some subjects may evolve to a malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Interestingly, recent studies reported the appearance of malignant B-cell neoplasias in patients with type C chronic hepatitis; moreover, in a significant number (from 22% to 50%) of 'idiopathic' NHLs, the presence of HCV infection has been demonstrated. The presence of a geographical etherogeneity in the prevalence of HCV-positive NHL suggests that other co-factors, i.e. genetic and environmental, could be involved in the lymphomagenesis. HCV may exert its oncogenic potential in two different directions, leading to liver cancer or B-cell lymphoma.
Ferri
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Istituto Patologia Medica I, University of Pisa, Italy.
La Civita
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Zignego
A L
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Pasero
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G
D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology