Role of Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Papilloma Virus in the Development of Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Literature Review

Michela Migliaro, Daniela Massuh, María Fernanda Infante, Ana María Brahm, María Trinidad San Martín, Duniel Ortuño Borroto*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this review was to describe the association and related mechanisms between HPV, EBV, and the development of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. A search for scientific evidence was carried out in electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SciELO). It was found that, among the carcinogenic mechanisms of HPV, E6 and E7 proteins are responsible for the malignization process, inhibiting tumor suppressors p53 and pRb. As to EBV, it was noted that its "hit and run"phenomenon manipulates the host epigenetic mechanism, triggering the tumor process without the virus being currently present; a "cellular reprogramming"is essentially generated, causing heritable changes in gene expression without DNA mutation. In conclusion, there is an association between oropharyngeal carcinogenesis and HPV and also between the former and EBV. Further studies are required to clarify the causal mechanisms and impact of both viruses on cancer development and to obtain biomarkers of greater specificity in the case of EBV.
Original languageEnglish
Article number3191569
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Dentistry
Volume2022
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

© 2022 Michela Migliaro et al.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Role of Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Papilloma Virus in the Development of Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Literature Review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this