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Review
. 2021 Jun 15;10(6):533.
doi: 10.3390/biology10060533.

Pathogens and Carcinogenesis: A Review

Muhammad Nur Adam Hatta  1 , Ezanee Azlina Mohamad Hanif  1 , Siok-Fong Chin  1 , Hui-Min Neoh  1
Affiliations
Review

Pathogens and Carcinogenesis: A Review

Muhammad Nur Adam Hatta et al. Biology (Basel). .

Abstract

Cancer is a global health problem associated with genetics and unhealthy lifestyles. Increasingly, pathogenic infections have also been identified as contributors to human cancer initiation and progression. Most pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) associated with human cancers are categorized as Group I human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC. These pathogens cause carcinogenesis via three known mechanisms: persistent infection that cause inflammation and DNA damage, initiation of oncogene expression, and immunosuppression activity of the host. In this review, we discuss the carcinogenesis mechanism of ten pathogens, their implications, and some future considerations for better management of the disease. The pathogens and cancers described are Helicobacter pylori (gastric cancer), Epstein-Barr virus (gastric cancer and lymphoma), Hepatitis B and C viruses (liver cancer), Aspergillus spp. (liver cancer), Opisthorchis viverrine (bile duct cancer), Clonorchis sinensis (bile duct cancer), Fusobacterium nucleatum (colorectal cancer), Schistosoma haematobium (bladder cancer); Human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer), and Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpes Virus (Kaposi's sarcoma).

Keywords: carcinogenesis; infections; pathogens.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Tropism of pathogens associated with human cancer development described in this review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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