The Russian Ministry of Education and Science reported that scientists from the Reference Center for Infectious and Viral Oncology and Urology have identified three viruses that increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
According to the researchers, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus type 6, and cytomegalovirus may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, and the disease can remain dormant for a long time without showing symptoms. Despite significant advances in diagnostic and treatment methods, the precise mechanisms of its development are still not fully understood.
The study of the relationship between viruses and prostate cancer is a major focus of scientific research. Within this framework, scientists have analyzed the link between prostate diseases and viral pathogens, and investigated the role of viral agents in the transformation of benign tumors into malignant tumors.
The results showed that the most common viruses in prostate samples with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were human papillomavirus (HPV) (48%), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (45%), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) (7%). In malignant tumors, EBV was the most common at 34%, followed by human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) at 32%, and then CMV at 22%.
Based on these findings, the scientists recommended testing for human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in prostate biopsies of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and suspected malignancy, as the presence of these viruses is associated with an increased risk of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. They added that if a viral infection is confirmed as the cause of the cancer, treatment should combine surgical intervention with antiviral therapy.
