HTLV-1 is a potent oncogenic virus, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer. The most notable cancer associated with HTLV-1 infection is adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). This form of cancer typically occurs decades after the initial infection. The virus integrates its genetic material into the host's DNA, leading to the transformation of normal T-cells into malignant cells. This transformation is facilitated by viral proteins such as Tax and HBZ, which deregulate cell growth and evade the immune response.
