KSHV (HHV8) vaccine: promises and potential pitfalls for a new anti-cancer vaccine
Corey Casper,
Lawrence Corey,
Jeffrey I. Cohen,
Blossom Damania,
Anne A. Gershon,
David C. Kaslow,
Laurie T. Krug,
Jeffrey Martin,
Sam M. Mbulaiteye,
Edward S. Mocarski,
Patrick S. Moore,
Javier Gordon Ogembo,
Warren Phipps,
Denise Whitby,
Charles Wood
Affiliations
Corey Casper
Infectious Disease Research Institute
Lawrence Corey
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Jeffrey I. Cohen
Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Blossom Damania
Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center & Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Anne A. Gershon
Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University
David C. Kaslow
PATH Essential Medicines, PATH
Laurie T. Krug
HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, National Cancer Institute
Jeffrey Martin
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California
Sam M. Mbulaiteye
Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, HHS
Edward S. Mocarski
Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University
Patrick S. Moore
Cancer Virology Program, Hillman Cancer Center, University of Pittsburgh
Javier Gordon Ogembo
Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope
Warren Phipps
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center; Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington
Denise Whitby
AIDS and Cancer Virus Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research
Charles Wood
Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Abstract Seven viruses cause at least 15% of the total cancer burden. Viral cancers have been described as the “low-hanging fruit” that can be potentially prevented or treated by new vaccines that would alter the course of global human cancer. Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV8) is the sole cause of Kaposi sarcoma, which primarily afflicts resource-poor and socially marginalized populations. This review summarizes a recent NIH-sponsored workshop’s findings on the epidemiology and biology of KSHV as an overlooked but potentially vaccine-preventable infection. The unique epidemiology of this virus provides opportunities to prevent its cancers if an effective, inexpensive, and well-tolerated vaccine can be developed and delivered.
