oncogenic virus
Quick Summary
An oncogenic virus is a virus that has the potential to cause cancer. While viruses cause many animal tumors, only a few human cancers are linked to viruses, primarily DNA viruses like human papillomaviruses (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis B virus.1
When DNA viruses infect a cell, they can integrate their genetic material into the host cell's DNA. Certain viral genes, such as HPV's E6 and E7, can act as oncogenes. These proteins interfere with tumor suppressor genes, allowing cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, a key step in cancer development.1
RNA viruses, specifically retroviruses, can also contribute to cancer. These viruses can pick up genetic material from host cells, including proto-oncogenes, and transform them into oncogenes when infecting new cells. This can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor formation. Only one human retrovirus, HTLV-I, is linked to a specific cancer, a form of leukemia.234
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
- carcinogen
A number of viruses are suspected of causing cancer in animals, including humans, and are frequently referred to as oncogenic viruses. Examples include human papillomaviruses, the Epstein-Barr virus, and the hepatitis B virus, all of which have genomes made up of DNA. Human T-cell leukemia virus type I…
Read MoreA number of viruses are suspected of causing cancer in animals, including humans, and are frequently referred to as oncogenic viruses. Examples include human papillomaviruses, the Epstein-Barr virus, and the hepatitis B virus, all of which have genomes made up of DNA. Human T-cell leukemia virus type I…
Read More 
cancerOncogenic virusesA large number of DNA and RNA viruses cause tumors in animals, but in humans it is the DNA viruses that are implicated in most forms of cancer. Only one RNA virus is known to cause cancer in humans. The precise role that…
Read MoreA large number of DNA and RNA viruses cause tumors in animals, but in humans it is the DNA viruses that are implicated in most forms of cancer. Only one RNA virus is known to cause cancer in humans. The precise role that…
Read More
