Open Access

Human endogenous retroviruses in cancer: Expression, regulation and function (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Yuan Gao
    • Xiao-Fang Yu
    • Ting Chen
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 17, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12382
  • Article Number: 121
  • Copyright: © Gao et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are the remnants of ancient retroviruses that infected human germline cells and became integrated into the human genome millions of years ago. Although most of these sequences are incomplete and silent, several potential pathological roles of HERVs have been observed in numerous diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, and especially cancer, including breast cancer and pancreatic carcinoma. The present review investigates the expression signatures and complex regulatory mechanisms of HERVs in cancer. The long terminal repeats‑driven transcriptional initiation of HERVs are regulated by transcription factors (such as Sp3) and epigenetic modifications (such as DNA methylation), and are influenced by environmental factors (such as ultraviolet radiation). In addition, this review focuses on the dual opposing effects of HERVs in cancer. HERVs can suppress cancer via immune activation; however, they can also promote cancer. HERV env gene serves a prime role in promoting carcinogenesis in certain malignant tumors, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, germ cell tumors, leukemia and Kaposi's sarcoma. Also, HERV ENV proteins can promote cancer via immune suppression. Targeting ENV proteins is a potential future antitumor treatment modality.
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February-2021
Volume 21 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Gao Y, Yu X and Chen T: Human endogenous retroviruses in cancer: Expression, regulation and function (Review). Oncol Lett 21: 121, 2021
APA
Gao, Y., Yu, X., & Chen, T. (2021). Human endogenous retroviruses in cancer: Expression, regulation and function (Review). Oncology Letters, 21, 121. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12382
MLA
Gao, Y., Yu, X., Chen, T."Human endogenous retroviruses in cancer: Expression, regulation and function (Review)". Oncology Letters 21.2 (2021): 121.
Chicago
Gao, Y., Yu, X., Chen, T."Human endogenous retroviruses in cancer: Expression, regulation and function (Review)". Oncology Letters 21, no. 2 (2021): 121. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12382