How Do Herpesviruses Contribute to Cancer Development?
Herpesviruses contribute to cancer through a multifaceted process involving direct and indirect mechanisms. Directly, these viruses can integrate into the host genome, disrupting normal cellular regulation and leading to unrestrained cell growth. Indirect mechanisms include the virus's ability to modulate the immune response, creating an environment conducive to cancer development. Additionally, viral proteins can interfere with apoptosis, the natural process of programmed cell death, allowing infected cells to persist and proliferate.
