Breast cancer patients who have been in remission for years or even decades may still be at risk from respiratory infections, according to new research. Emerging studies suggest that some common viruses can reactivate dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs.
Researchers argue that dormant cancer cells are like embers left in an abandoned campfire, and respiratory viruses are like a strong wind that reignites the flames. The study found that patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 later showed a significant increase in cancer-related deaths compared to those who did not contract the virus.
The research also discovered that previous SARS-CoV-2 infections were associated with a greater than 40% increased risk of metastatic breast cancer in the lungs. In mouse models, viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 triggered dormant breast cancer cells to proliferate, leading to a massive expansion of carcinoma cells into metastatic lesions.
The study suggests that the immune system’s response to viruses plays a crucial role in the spread of cancer. It also highlights the need for further research into vaccination strategies against respiratory viruses to protect breast cancer survivors from increased relapse risks.
While scientists have long suspected that certain highly common viruses, like Epstein-Barr Virus and human papillomavirus (HPV), may trigger cancers, more research is needed to determine the mechanism underlying this process. The findings of this study underscore the substantial metastatic risk COVID-19 poses to cancer survivors.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/common-viruses-may-wake-dormant-breast-cancer-cells-study-finds