Zoonotic Viruses as a Risk Factor for Tumor Growth Initiation

Numerous studies in the field of cancer biology prove that the development of any tumor goes through the stages of initiation, promotion and progression. The first genomedestabilizing event directs cells to the pathway of mutation accumulation, which ultimately leads to tumor development. Over the past decade, a large number of genome destabilizing factors were discovered. These include such as chemical mutagens, radiation, oncoviruses, insolation and the like. Animal viruses are among the least proven group of risk factors capable of initiating tumor growth. Skeptics argue that animal viruses do not penetrate the cells, and therefore do not initiate tumor growth [1]. Opponents of this statement give experimental data indicating the existence of more complex mechanisms of cancer initiation by zoonotic viruses.