title: Role of viruses in the development of breast cancer.
abstract: The most common cancer worldwide among women is breast cancer. The initiation, promotion, and progression of this cancer result from both internal and external factors. The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that 18-20% of cancers are linked to infection, and the list of definite, probable, and possible carcinogenic agents is growing each year. Among them, biological carcinogens play a significant role. In this review, data covering infection-associated breast and lung cancers are discussed and presented as possible involvements as pathogens in cancer. Because carcinogenesis is a multistep process with several contributing factors, we evaluated to what extent infection is significant, and concluded that members of the herpesvirus, polyomavirus, papillomavirus, and retrovirus families definitely associate with breast cancer. Detailed studies of viral mechanisms support this conclusion, but have presented problems with experimental settings. It is apparent that more effort needs to be devoted to assessing the role of these viruses in carcinogenesis, by characterizing additional confounding and synergistic effects of carcinogenic factors. We propose that preventing and treating infections may possibly stop or even eliminate certain types of cancers.
authors.affiliation: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan ; National Medical Holding, 2 Syganak Street, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alibek
authors.affiliation: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Ainur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kakpenova
authors.affiliation: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Assel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mussabekova
authors.affiliation: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Marzhan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sypabekova
authors.affiliation: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Avenue, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
authors.forename: Nargis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karatayeva
keywords: Breast cancer; Carcinogenesis; Infectious agents