Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer

Abstract Human polyomaviruses (HPyV), which are small DNA viruses classified into the polyomaviridae family, are widely distributed in human populations. Thirteen distinct HPyVs have been described to date. Some of these viruses have been found in human tumors, suggesting an etiological relationship...

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Main Authors: Jorge Levican, Mónica Acevedo, Oscar León, Aldo Gaggero, Francisco Aguayo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-04-01
Series:Infectious Agents and Cancer
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13027-018-0182-9
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author Jorge Levican
Mónica Acevedo
Oscar León
Aldo Gaggero
Francisco Aguayo
author_facet Jorge Levican
Mónica Acevedo
Oscar León
Aldo Gaggero
Francisco Aguayo
author_sort Jorge Levican
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Human polyomaviruses (HPyV), which are small DNA viruses classified into the polyomaviridae family, are widely distributed in human populations. Thirteen distinct HPyVs have been described to date. Some of these viruses have been found in human tumors, suggesting an etiological relationship with cancer. In particular, convincing evidence of an oncogenic role has emerged for a specific HPyV, the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). This HPyV has been linked to rare skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This finding may be just the tip of the iceberg, as HPyV infections are ubiquitous in humans. Many authors have conjectured that additional associations between HPyV infections and neoplastic diseases will likely be discovered. In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated the carcinogenicity of the BK virus (BKPyV), reporting that BKPyV is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” This review explores the BKPyV infection from a historical point of view, including biological aspects related to viral entry, tropism, epidemiology and mechanisms potentially involved in BKPyV-mediated human carcinogenesis. In order to clarify the role of this virus in human cancer, more epidemiological and basic research is strongly warranted.
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spelling doaj.art-29753e209e3641e8b1b0effdc54ebf0a2022-12-22T00:51:16ZengBMCInfectious Agents and Cancer1750-93782018-04-011311810.1186/s13027-018-0182-9Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancerJorge Levican0Mónica Acevedo1Oscar León2Aldo Gaggero3Francisco Aguayo4Programa de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de ChilePrograma de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de ChilePrograma de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de ChilePrograma de Virología, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de ChileDepartamento de Oncología Básico clínica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de ChileAbstract Human polyomaviruses (HPyV), which are small DNA viruses classified into the polyomaviridae family, are widely distributed in human populations. Thirteen distinct HPyVs have been described to date. Some of these viruses have been found in human tumors, suggesting an etiological relationship with cancer. In particular, convincing evidence of an oncogenic role has emerged for a specific HPyV, the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). This HPyV has been linked to rare skin cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). This finding may be just the tip of the iceberg, as HPyV infections are ubiquitous in humans. Many authors have conjectured that additional associations between HPyV infections and neoplastic diseases will likely be discovered. In 2012, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated the carcinogenicity of the BK virus (BKPyV), reporting that BKPyV is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” This review explores the BKPyV infection from a historical point of view, including biological aspects related to viral entry, tropism, epidemiology and mechanisms potentially involved in BKPyV-mediated human carcinogenesis. In order to clarify the role of this virus in human cancer, more epidemiological and basic research is strongly warranted.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13027-018-0182-9PolyomavirusCancerOncoprotein
spellingShingle Jorge Levican
Mónica Acevedo
Oscar León
Aldo Gaggero
Francisco Aguayo
Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer
Infectious Agents and Cancer
Polyomavirus
Cancer
Oncoprotein
title Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer
title_full Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer
title_fullStr Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer
title_full_unstemmed Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer
title_short Role of BK human polyomavirus in cancer
title_sort role of bk human polyomavirus in cancer
topic Polyomavirus
Cancer
Oncoprotein
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13027-018-0182-9
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AT franciscoaguayo roleofbkhumanpolyomavirusincancer