Oncoviruses and cancer biomarkers: current and future perspectives

As yet, it has been shown and proven that there are at least seven known human oncogenic viruses; these are Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1), human papillomaviruses (HPVs), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV, also known as human herpesvirus 8 [HHV-8]) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). According to the World Health Organization report and International Agency for Research on Cancer report 2024, it is estimated that viral infection caused 17.8% of human cancers. According to recent studies, infections are responsible for approximately 13% of cancer development in the world. Today, it is accepted and proven by many authorities that EBV, HBV, HCV, HHV-8, HTLV-1, and highly oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause or/and contribute to cancer development in humans. The global frequency of the oncogenic viral infections is 13% including EBV, HBV, HCV, HHV-8, and HTLV-1, and high-risk HPVs cause cancer development in humans. Global current situation and the future perspectives on the oncogenic viral biomarkers diagnosis and identification will be the best practice for prevention or treatment of viral cancers. The future perspective for prevention of oncogenic infections and the use of gene therapy for cancers treatment, diagnosis by the list of biomarkers, mechanism of infections, and prognosis are discussed.