The Association of Human Herpesviruses with Malignant Brain Tumor Pathology and Therapy: Two Sides of a Coin |
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| Authors: | Evita Athanasiou Antonios N. Gargalionis Fotini Boufidou Athanassios Tsakris |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Biopathology, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece; (E.A.); (F.B.);2.Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece; |
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| Abstract: | The role of certain viruses in malignant brain tumor development remains controversial. Experimental data demonstrate that human herpesviruses (HHVs), particularly cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), are implicated in brain tumor pathology, although their direct role has not yet been proven. CMV is present in most gliomas and medulloblastomas and is known to facilitate oncomodulation and/or immunomodulation, thus promoting cancer cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and immunosuppression. EBV and HHV-6 have also been detected in brain tumors and high-grade gliomas, showing high rates of expression and an inflammatory potential. On the other hand, due to the neurotropic nature of HHVs, novel studies have highlighted the engagement of such viruses in the development of new immunotherapeutic approaches in the context of oncolytic viral treatment and vaccine-based strategies against brain tumors. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of recent scientific data concerning the emerging dual role of HHVs in malignant brain pathology, either as potential causative agents or as immunotherapeutic tools in the fight against these devastating diseases. |
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| Keywords: | glioma, brain cancer, CMV, Epstein– Barr, herpesvirus, immunotherapy |
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