They are ancient.
A recent study has uncovered that ancient viral DNA fragments embedded in the human genome might play a role in cancer growth. About 8% of the human genome consists of remnants from viruses that infected our primate ancestors. Previously thought to be inactive and inconsequential, these “endogenous retroviruses” have now been found to potentially influence cancer progression.
The research, published in the journal Science Advances, reveals that when these ancient viral fragments are reactivated, they can support cancer cells by helping them survive and proliferate. The study suggests that targeting these viral remnants could improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
Edward Chuong, a senior researcher and assistant professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder’s BioFrontiers Institute, explained that this study highlights how ancient viral infections can impact current diseases. These viruses, which integrated their DNA into early human reproductive cells, have left behind genetic material that can affect nearby human genes and health.
The study identified LTR10, a virus that infected primates around 30 million years ago, as particularly active in various cancers, including colorectal and lung cancers. Gene-editing techniques that removed LTR10 from cancer cells resulted in reduced expression of genes associated with cancer development. Experiments in mice showed that eliminating LTR10 improved the effectiveness of cancer treatments.
The findings indicate that ancient viral elements may play a role in turning on genes that contribute to cancer, providing new insights into how cancer cells can be targeted more effectively. This research opens up potential avenues for enhancing cancer therapy by addressing these ancient viral influences.
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