Viruses and cancers: possible role of hepatitis C virus

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Abstract
Oncogenesis is a multifactorial process in which environmental, genetic and infectious factors are variably involved. A possible role of specific viruses has been suggested in at least 15% of human cancers. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is both hepato‐ and lymphotropic, is responsible for various liver disorders, i.e. chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as for a constellation of extrahepatic immune‐mediated manifestations, among which is mixed cryoglobulinaemia. This is a systemic disorder secondary to a chronic, benign B‐lymphocyte proliferation, which in some subjects may evolve to a malignant non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Interestingly, recent studies reported the appearance of malignant B‐cell neoplasias in patients with type C chronic hepatitis; moreover, in a significant number (from 22% to 50%) of ‘idiopathic’ NHLs, the presence of HCV infection has been demonstrated. The presence of a geographical etherogeneity in the prevalence of HCV‐positive NHL suggests that other co‐factors, i.e. genetic and environmental, could be involved in the lymphomagenesis. HCV may exert its oncogenic potential in two different directions, leading to liver cancer or B‐cell lymphoma.

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