Role of infectious agents in cancer pathogenesis and therapy

Ezichi F. Ofoezie; Chinwendu A. Ogbonna; Sandra C. Olisakwe; Chioma J. Anunobi; Ezinne T. George; Simeon Babarinde; Chidera G. Chukwuemeka; Uzochukwu E. Ogbonna; Chibuzo C. Amafili; Chibuzo V. Alisigwe; Onyinyechi J. Omaba; Henry N. Ogbonna

doi:10.1016/j.microb.2025.100284

Role of infectious agents in cancer pathogenesis and therapy

Ezichi F. Ofoezie, Chinwendu A. Ogbonna, Sandra C. Olisakwe, Chioma J. Anunobi, Ezinne T. George, Simeon Babarinde, Chidera G. Chukwuemeka, Uzochukwu E. Ogbonna, Chibuzo C. Amafili, Chibuzo V. Alisigwe, Onyinyechi J. Omaba, Henry N. Ogbonna

Department of Life Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

Infectious agents contribute substantially to cancer pathogenesis, representing a significant proportion of the global cancer burden. This review delves into the complex mechanisms pathogens drive oncogenesis, emphasizing chronic inflammation, immune evasion, genetic integration, and epigenetic alterations. These processes enable infectious agents such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), Helicobacter pylori and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to disrupt host cellular homeostasis and facilitate tumor development. Emerging therapeutic strategies are also explored, including pathogen-specific immunotherapies such as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting infected cells, and cutting-edge gene-editing technologies like CRISPR. Additionally, the review highlights antiviral and antibacterial therapies aimed at oncogenic pathways, along with the integration of these modalities with conventional cancer treatments. These developments highlight the urgent need for creative, multidisciplinary methods to enhance the prognosis of cancers linked to pathogens.

Original language	English
Article number	100284
Journal	Microbe (Netherlands)
Volume	6
Early online date	4 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microb.2025.100284
Publication status	Published - 31 Mar 2025

Data Availability Statement

No data was used for the research described in the article.

Funding

No funding

Keywords

Cancer
Gene
H. pylori
Immune
Oncogenic
Pathogen
Viruses

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Microbiology (medical)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.microb.2025.100284Licence: CC BY

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title = "Role of infectious agents in cancer pathogenesis and therapy",

abstract = "Infectious agents contribute substantially to cancer pathogenesis, representing a significant proportion of the global cancer burden. This review delves into the complex mechanisms pathogens drive oncogenesis, emphasizing chronic inflammation, immune evasion, genetic integration, and epigenetic alterations. These processes enable infectious agents such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), Helicobacter pylori and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to disrupt host cellular homeostasis and facilitate tumor development. Emerging therapeutic strategies are also explored, including pathogen-specific immunotherapies such as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting infected cells, and cutting-edge gene-editing technologies like CRISPR. Additionally, the review highlights antiviral and antibacterial therapies aimed at oncogenic pathways, along with the integration of these modalities with conventional cancer treatments. These developments highlight the urgent need for creative, multidisciplinary methods to enhance the prognosis of cancers linked to pathogens.",

keywords = "Cancer, Gene, H. pylori, Immune, Oncogenic, Pathogen, Viruses",

author = "Ofoezie, {Ezichi F.} and Ogbonna, {Chinwendu A.} and Olisakwe, {Sandra C.} and Anunobi, {Chioma J.} and George, {Ezinne T.} and Simeon Babarinde and Chukwuemeka, {Chidera G.} and Ogbonna, {Uzochukwu E.} and Amafili, {Chibuzo C.} and Alisigwe, {Chibuzo V.} and Omaba, {Onyinyechi J.} and Ogbonna, {Henry N.}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "31",

doi = "10.1016/j.microb.2025.100284",

language = "English",

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T1 - Role of infectious agents in cancer pathogenesis and therapy

AU - Ofoezie, Ezichi F.

AU - Ogbonna, Chinwendu A.

AU - Olisakwe, Sandra C.

AU - Anunobi, Chioma J.

AU - George, Ezinne T.

AU - Babarinde, Simeon

AU - Chukwuemeka, Chidera G.

AU - Ogbonna, Uzochukwu E.

AU - Amafili, Chibuzo C.

AU - Alisigwe, Chibuzo V.

AU - Omaba, Onyinyechi J.

AU - Ogbonna, Henry N.

PY - 2025/3/31

Y1 - 2025/3/31

N2 - Infectious agents contribute substantially to cancer pathogenesis, representing a significant proportion of the global cancer burden. This review delves into the complex mechanisms pathogens drive oncogenesis, emphasizing chronic inflammation, immune evasion, genetic integration, and epigenetic alterations. These processes enable infectious agents such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), Helicobacter pylori and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to disrupt host cellular homeostasis and facilitate tumor development. Emerging therapeutic strategies are also explored, including pathogen-specific immunotherapies such as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting infected cells, and cutting-edge gene-editing technologies like CRISPR. Additionally, the review highlights antiviral and antibacterial therapies aimed at oncogenic pathways, along with the integration of these modalities with conventional cancer treatments. These developments highlight the urgent need for creative, multidisciplinary methods to enhance the prognosis of cancers linked to pathogens.

AB - Infectious agents contribute substantially to cancer pathogenesis, representing a significant proportion of the global cancer burden. This review delves into the complex mechanisms pathogens drive oncogenesis, emphasizing chronic inflammation, immune evasion, genetic integration, and epigenetic alterations. These processes enable infectious agents such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV), Helicobacter pylori and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to disrupt host cellular homeostasis and facilitate tumor development. Emerging therapeutic strategies are also explored, including pathogen-specific immunotherapies such as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting infected cells, and cutting-edge gene-editing technologies like CRISPR. Additionally, the review highlights antiviral and antibacterial therapies aimed at oncogenic pathways, along with the integration of these modalities with conventional cancer treatments. These developments highlight the urgent need for creative, multidisciplinary methods to enhance the prognosis of cancers linked to pathogens.

KW - Cancer

KW - Gene

KW - H. pylori

KW - Immune

KW - Oncogenic

KW - Pathogen

KW - Viruses

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DO - 10.1016/j.microb.2025.100284

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85219725313

SN - 2950-1946

VL - 6

JO - Microbe (Netherlands)

JF - Microbe (Netherlands)

M1 - 100284

ER -

Role of infectious agents in cancer pathogenesis and therapy

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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