The role of oncolytic virotherapy and viral oncogenes in the cancer stem cells: a review of virus in cancer stem cells

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are the main seeds for the initiation, growth, metastasis, and recurrence of tumors. According to many studies, several viral infections, including the human papillomaviruses, hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C virus, promote the aggressiveness of cancer by encouraging the development of CSC features. Therefore, a better method for the targeted elimination of CSCs and knowledge of their regulatory mechanisms in human carcinogenesis may lead to the development of a future tool for the management and treatment of cancer. Oncolytic viruses (OVs), which include the herpes virus, adenovirus, vaccinia, and reovirus, are also a new class of cancer therapeutics that have favorable properties such as selective replication in tumor cells, delivery of numerous eukaryotic transgene payloads, induction of immunogenic cell death and promotion of antitumor immunity, as well as a tolerable safety profile that essentially differs from that of other cancer therapeutics. The effects of viral infection on the development of CSCs and the suppression of CSCs by OV therapy were examined in this paper. The purpose of this review is to investigate the dual role of viruses in CSCs (oncolytic virotherapy and viral oncogenes).

Automated summary

Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in tumor initiation, growth, metastasis, and recurrence. Viral infections, such as human papillomaviruses, hepatitis B virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis C virus, have been found to promote the aggressiveness of cancer by supporting the development of CSC features. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are a promising class of cancer therapeutics that selectively replicate in tumor cells, induce immunogenic cell death, and promote antitumor immunity. Understanding the effects of viral infection on CSC development and the suppression of CSCs by OV therapy is of great importance for cancer management and treatment.