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Review
. 2021 Aug;43(8):e2000289.
doi: 10.1002/bies.202000289. Epub 2021 Jun 3.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer: Evidence for and against a role of SARS-CoV-2 in cancer onset

Aureliano Stingi  1 , Luca Cirillo  2
Affiliations
Review

SARS-CoV-2 infection and cancer: Evidence for and against a role of SARS-CoV-2 in cancer onset

Aureliano Stingi et al. Bioessays. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

Despite huge efforts towards understanding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis, little is known about the long-term consequences of the disease. Here, we critically review existing literature about oncogenesis as a potential long-term effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Like other viral infections, SARS-CoV-2 may promote cancer onset by inhibiting tumor suppressor genes. We conclude that, although unlikely, such hypothesis cannot be excluded a priori and we delineate an experimental approach to address it. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/TBUTDSLR7vY.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; cancer; oncogenic viruses.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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