Viral transformation of stem cells into cancer stem cells and tumor enhancement by immunoexcito-oncomodulation: Accumulating evidence that most cancers are virally induced and further altered to increase their aggressiveness

Abstract

The enigma of cancer development from stem cells and/or somatic cells has now been questioned, primarily by Thomas Seyfried and co-workers. From a genetically triggered disorder, they have made a powerful case for a metabolic origin or cancer. In this paper I make a case for a viral origin of this transformation. It is now accepted that certain viruses can increase the aggressiveness, invasion and metastasis of established cancers by a process referred to as oncomodulation. Approximately seven viruses have been described as meeting the criteria of being able to induce various cancers from non-cancerous cells, referred to as oncogenic viruses. Here I review the ability of certain viruses to go from latency to activation by the same factors known to induce various cancers. In addition, in the past it was thought that all cells in the cancer needed to be infiltered by the viruses. Recent studies have shown that only a few cells need to be infiltrated and that certain common viruses secrete hundreds of proteins that are capable of initiating the changes we see in cancers.