Phosphoinositide dynamics in virus-associated malignancies.

Virus-associated cancers, which account for ~15-20% of the global cancer burden, arise from infections with human oncoviruses. These viruses drive malignant transformation through diverse mechanisms but share common oncogenic features, including reprogramming host membrane signaling and trafficking. Such processes are tightly regulated by phosphoinositides (PPIn), essential organizers of membrane dynamics and signal transduction implicated in cancer development and progression. Oncoviruses exploit host PPIn metabolism to facilitate their replication and persistence, often leading to its dysregulation. In turn, this disruption can activate oncogenic signaling pathways that promote malignant transformation. In this review, we summarize how oncoviruses manipulate PPIn metabolism to sustain their life cycle and drive long-term interactions with host cells, ultimately contributing to tumorigenesis.