OncoTargets and Therapy (Aug 2020)
Human Endogenous Retroviruses in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Biological Functions and Clinical Values
Abstract
Wenjun Cao,1 Ran Kang,2 Yining Xiang,1 Jidong Hong1 1Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jidong Hong Department of OncologyXiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, Hunan Province 410008, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail [email protected]: 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.Keywords: clear cell renal cell carcinoma, human endogenous retroviruses, immunotherapy, long terminal repeat, biomarker
