Herpesviruses and Cancer

Abstract

The herpesviruses form a large group with many common properties. Many animal species have one or more distinct herpesviruses. Strong evidence is available that at least two nonhuman herpesviruses are able to induce malignancy in nonhuman vertebrates, and weak but suggestive evidence exists for four others. There is also suggestive evidence for an association of two herpesviruses with human malignancies. Because proper experiments cannot be done with oncogenic viruses in humans, studies with oncogenic herpesviruses of other animals are extremely important to understanding human cancer.