Scientists Suggest Remnants of Ancient Viruses May Aid in Fighting Cancer

Researchers from the Francis Crick Institute in the UK suggest that the legacy of ancient viruses preserved in human DNA may help people battle cancer to this day.

Scientists Suggest Remnants of Ancient Viruses May Aid in Fighting Cancer. Image credit: tasnimnews.com

They argue that cancer essentially revives the dormant ancient viral DNA, provoking an immune response that attacks cancerous cells in the process.

According to the institute, numerous infections with viruses that our ancestors contracted over the past millions of years have left a lasting impression on our genetic makeup, with about 8 percent of the human genome being comprised of retroviral DNA, with known genes making up only 1-2 percent.

The researchers conducted a new study that suggests a link between the immune response observed in some lung cancer patients and the "improved patient survival" witnessed in these cases.

B cells, white blood cells also known as B lymphocytes, cluster around tumors, and the researchers believe that it occurs due to cancer reactivating the ancient viral DNA, thus attracting the attention of the immune system.

Professor George Kassiotis, head of the laboratory of Retroviral Immunology at the Francis Crick Institute, explained to a British media outlet that "The immune system is tricked into believing that the tumor cells are infected and it tries to eliminate the virus, so it's sort of an alarm system." (Tasnim News Agency)

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