The link between inflammatory conditions, the immune system, and cancer dates back to discoveries made centuries ago. Apart from ample evidence suggesting that immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and tumor microenvironment interactions are all fundamental pillars of malignant processes, there are also a plethora of studies associating infectious diseases with cancer. An estimated 2.2 million new cancer cases are related with infectious agents, which in 2018 corresponded to around 13% of all cancer cases. Helicobacter pylori, Human Papillomavirus, and Hepatitis virus B and C are responsible for the majority of infectious-associated cancers. Specific cancers are also associated with additional pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Infection-triggered cancer is the outcome of a complex interplay between the infectious agent and the host, including the host immune response. Mechanisms contributing to the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis include the establishment of persistent inflammation, the induction of immunosuppression, and the activation of oncogenes. Despite knowing this, there is still a lack of deeper knowledge regarding how different infectious agents promote cancer. Given that infectious diseases are potentially preventable causes of malignancies, studying the underlying pathogenesis of cancer from them is necessary. Furthermore, studying microbial-related carcinogenesis and unraveling their molecular mechanisms of action holds the potential to shed light onto key elements of cancer interactions, benefiting millions of patients worldwide.
In this Research Topic, we aim to assemble a collection of insightful manuscripts focusing on infectious agents and their link to cancer. We welcome contributions in the form of Original Research, Brief Research Report Systematic Review, Review, Mini Review, Methods, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Case Report, Data Report, Brief Research Report, Opinion, Technology and Code that cover the following themes:
- Mechanistic insights in infectious-related carcinogenesis, such as identification of dysregulated signaling pathways
- Preclinical experimental models studying host-pathogen interactions driving tumorigenesis
- Novel therapeutic approaches targeting cellular compartments of the tumor microenvironment
- Epidemiological data regarding infectious agents and cancer
- Novel methodological approaches and advances in software tools related with infectious agents and cancer
- Case presentation of patients diagnosed with infectious agents and cancer or inflammation-associated cancer
-Translational studies related with infectious disease and cancer
The link between inflammatory conditions, the immune system, and cancer dates back to discoveries made centuries ago. Apart from ample evidence suggesting that immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, and tumor microenvironment interactions are all fundamental pillars of malignant processes, there are also a plethora of studies associating infectious diseases with cancer. An estimated 2.2 million new cancer cases are related with infectious agents, which in 2018 corresponded to around 13% of all cancer cases. Helicobacter pylori, Human Papillomavirus, and Hepatitis virus B and C are responsible for the majority of infectious-associated cancers. Specific cancers are also associated with additional pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Infection-triggered cancer is the outcome of a complex interplay between the infectious agent and the host, including the host immune response. Mechanisms contributing to the initiation and progression of carcinogenesis include the establishment of persistent inflammation, the induction of immunosuppression, and the activation of oncogenes. Despite knowing this, there is still a lack of deeper knowledge regarding how different infectious agents promote cancer. Given that infectious diseases are potentially preventable causes of malignancies, studying the underlying pathogenesis of cancer from them is necessary. Furthermore, studying microbial-related carcinogenesis and unraveling their molecular mechanisms of action holds the potential to shed light onto key elements of cancer interactions, benefiting millions of patients worldwide.
In this Research Topic, we aim to assemble a collection of insightful manuscripts focusing on infectious agents and their link to cancer. We welcome contributions in the form of Original Research, Brief Research Report Systematic Review, Review, Mini Review, Methods, Hypothesis and Theory, Perspective, Clinical Trial, Case Report, Data Report, Brief Research Report, Opinion, Technology and Code that cover the following themes:
- Mechanistic insights in infectious-related carcinogenesis, such as identification of dysregulated signaling pathways
- Preclinical experimental models studying host-pathogen interactions driving tumorigenesis
- Novel therapeutic approaches targeting cellular compartments of the tumor microenvironment
- Epidemiological data regarding infectious agents and cancer
- Novel methodological approaches and advances in software tools related with infectious agents and cancer
- Case presentation of patients diagnosed with infectious agents and cancer or inflammation-associated cancer
-Translational studies related with infectious disease and cancer