Open Access<p>Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Biological Functions and Clinical Values</p>
Author(s) -
Wenjun Cao,
Ran Kang,
Ye Xiang,
Jinsheng Hong
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
oncotargets and therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.054
H-Index - 60
ISSN - 1178-6930
DOI - 10.2147/ott.s259534
Subject(s) - immunotherapy , renal cell carcinoma , carcinogenesis , cancer research , clear cell renal cell carcinoma , medicine , biology , immune system , cell , interferon , immunology , cancer , genetics , oncology
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) form an important part of the human genome, commonly losing their coding ability and exhibiting only rare expression in healthy tissues to promote the stability of the genome. However, overexpression of HERVs has been observed in various malignant tumors, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and may be closely correlated with tumorigenesis and progression. HERVs may activate the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway by a viral mimicry process to enhance antitumor immune responses. There is increasing interest in the diagnostic and prognostic value of HERVs in cancers, and they may be candidate targets for tumor immunotherapy. The review will introduce the biological functions of HERVs in ccRCC and their clinical value, especially in regard to immunotherapy.