Abstract IA38: Viral cancers: The forgotten culprits in the African cancer problem

Abstract

Abstract Infection is responsible for approximately one-fifth of cancer cases worldwide. Causes and rates of cancer vary dramatically throughout the world. While infection is often overlooked as a cancer cause in the United States and Europe, it is often the main driving force for cancer in other parts of the world. The first human cancer virus discovered, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), was isolated from a Ugandan Burkitt lymphoma in 1964. Infectious cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma, cervical carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma and gastric carcinoma represent the majority of cancer cases among men and women in some world regions, particularly in Africa. This lecture will focus on how new cancer viruses can be discovered, using Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus found in our lab as examples. The common characteristics--as well as the diverse nature--of viral cancers will be described. The extraordinary public health success of vaccines in preventing cancers of particular importance in Africa will be highlighted, and missed opportunities for low-cost, effective prevention and treatment of infectious cancers will be discussed. As with discovery of EBV, it is quite possible that the next cancer agent will be discovered in cancers unique to African countries but will have important implications to public health throughout the world. Citation Format: Patrick S. Moore. Viral cancers: The forgotten culprits in the African cancer problem [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR International Conference: New Frontiers in Cancer Research; 2017 Jan 18-22; Cape Town, South Africa. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(22 Suppl):Abstract nr IA38.