Open AccessViral infection in thymoma and thymic tumors with autoimmune diseases
Author(s) -
Chang Rui,
Duan Shuning,
Li Shicong,
Zhang Peng
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
thoracic cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1759-7714
pISSN - 1759-7706
DOI - 10.1111/1759-7714.14157
Subject(s) - thymoma , medicine , immunology , immunodeficiency , immune system , myasthenia gravis , etiology , immunity , thymus neoplasm , pathology
A thymoma is a type of thymic tumor which is rarely malignant that is frequently reported in adult patients. A number of thymoma‐related immune disorders are observed including autoimmune diseases, which suggests a strong connection between thymoma development and immunological mechanisms. Characterized by association with humoral and cellular immunodeficiency, thymoma patients are susceptible to opportunistic infections by environmental factors. Recent reports have suggested that viral infection may play a role in the etiological mechanisms of thymoma development associated with dysregulated immunity. In this review, we summarize the case reports and studies related to viral infection, such as CMV, EBV and HSV, that probably play a part in the pathogenesis of thymoma and related diseases. Furthermore, we demonstrate the underlying mechanisms by which viruses may induce the occurrence of thymoma with autoimmune diseases. Lastly, we discuss the potential application of antiviral therapy in the treatment of thymic diseases.