Turkish researchers warn about cancer causing risk of COVID-19

Medical News: The Unexpected Link Between COVID-19 and Cancer
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been primarily associated with its immediate respiratory and systemic impacts. However, as the pandemic persists, researchers are beginning to explore potential long-term effects, including an alarming possibility: a link between COVID-19 and the development of cancer. Researchers from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Faculty of Medicine and Bodrum State Hospital in Muğla, Turkey, have conducted an in-depth study review to explore this unexpected connection. Their findings shed light on the complex mechanisms by which COVID-19 might contribute to carcinogenesis, emphasizing the importance of ongoing cancer surveillance in COVID-19 survivors. This Medical News report explores these findings, focusing on immune dysregulation, genetic and epigenetic alterations, the role of therapeutic interventions, and the impact of co-infections.


Turkish researchers warn about cancer causing risk of COVID-19

Thailand Medical News had previously covered numerous studies that showed that COVID-19 Infections and the COVID-19 vaccines can lead to the possible onset and progression of various cancers. These are just some of the 43 articles that can be found on TMN website.
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-texas-md-anderson-study-finds-that-covid-19-accelerates-brain-tumor-progression-and-possibly-causes-new-onset-glioblastomas
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-spike-suppresses-p53-dependent-gene-activation-impacting-tumorigenesis-tumor-progression-and-chemotherapy-sensitivity
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-hla-g-protein-which-is-typically-upregulated-in-cancers-found-to-be-also-upregulated-in-covid-19-infections
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/viral-infections-including-covid-19-and-thyroid-cancer-a-new-threat-emerges
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/doctors-warn-covid-19-mrna-jabs-can-cause-primary-cutaneous-cd4-small-medium-t-cell-lymphoproliferative-disorders-and-cutaneous-lymphomas
 
www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-can-enhance-the-invasiveness-and-progression-of-oral-squamous-cell-cancer">https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-can-enhance-the-invasiveness-and-progression-of-oral-squamous-cell-cancer
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-sars-cov-2-causes-aggressive-breast-cancer-progression-and-manipulates-tissue-stem-cells-in-the-tumor-microenvironment
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-increases-risk-of-heart-tumors-including-cardiac-myxomas-and-myxofibrosarcomas
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/texas-md-anderson-cancer-center-warns-that-covid-19-mrna-vaccines-elevate-pd-l1-levels-disrupting-lung-cancer-treatments-progressing-other-cancers
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-doctors-in-thailand-warn-that-covid-19-vaccines-could-possibly-lead-to-tumor-expansion-in-certain-cancers
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/medical-news-singapore-doctors-warn-that-acute-covid-19-infections-can-cause-elevated-psa-levels,-complicating-prostate-cancer-diagnosis
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-case-report-raises-questions-about-sars-cov-2-and-its-role-in-carcinogenesis
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-covid-19-news-polish-review-study-shows-that-sars-cov-2-infections-are-a-potential-risk-factor-for-the-development-of-cancer

https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news-doctors-warn-covid-19-induced-t-cell-exhaustion-linked-to-oncovirus-reactivation-and-development-of-various-cancers
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news-study-alarmingly-finds-that-sars-cov-2-s-and-n-proteins-drive-invasion-abilities-of-colon-cancer-cells,-resulting-in-rapid-metastasis
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-news-researchers-find-that-sars-cov-2-contributes-to-oral-cancer-progression,-treatment-resistance-and-tumor-recurrence
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-scientists-warns-that-sars-cov-2-also-interacts-with-igf2bp1-an-oncofetal-rna-binding-protein-that-typically-fuels-tumor-virus-propagation
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-and-cancer-increased-neuropilin-1-expression-as-a-result-of-covid-19-can-lead-to-progression-of-primary-brain-tumors-besides-neurological-i
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-news-scientists-warn-that-sars-cov-2-infections-can-lead-to-rapid-progression-of-cervical-intraepithelial-neoplasia-to-cervix-cancers
 
The Role of Immune Dysregulation in Cancer Development
One of the key findings of the review is the significant impact COVID-19 has on the immune system, particularly in triggering what is known as a cytokine storm. A cytokine storm is an excessive immune response characterized by the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). These cytokines play a crucial role in the body’s defense against infections, but when produced in excess, they can cause severe inflammation and damage to tissues. The study explores how this prolonged inflammatory response, which can persist long after the acute phase of COVID-19, creates an environment conducive to cancer development.

Chronic inflammation is a well-known risk factor for cancer. It can lead to DNA damage, promote abnormal cellular proliferation, and inhibit apoptosis, the process by which the body naturally eliminates damaged or abnormal cells.
 
Studies have shown that even months after recovering from COVID-19, patients may continue to exhibit elevated levels of inflammatory markers. For instance, one study found a 35% increase in IL-6 and a 28% increase in TNF-α levels three months post-recovery. The persistence of these inflammatory markers suggests that COVID-19 survivors remain in a state of heightened immune activity, which may increase their risk of developing cancer.
 
Moreover, the study discusses how the cytokine storm and the associated chronic inflammation can lead to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to cellular damage. In the context of COVID-19, oxidative stress can further exacerbate DNA damage and promote the conditions necessary for carcinogenesis. A study highlighted in this review showed a 40% increase in oxidative stress markers and a 22% increase in DNA damage markers in COVID-19 survivors over the course of a year, underscoring the long-term risks associated with the virus.
 
Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations: A Silent Threat
The genetic and epigenetic changes induced by SARS-CoV-2 are another critical area of concern. DNA methylation and histone modification are two key mechanisms that regulate gene expression. In normal cells, these processes help maintain proper cellular function by turning genes on or off as needed. However, when these processes are disrupted, they can lead to the abnormal activation or silencing of genes, including those involved in cancer prevention.

In COVID-19 patients, alterations in DNA methylation patterns have been observed, particularly the hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes. Tumor suppressor genes are responsible for controlling cell growth and preventing the formation of tumors. When these genes are silenced due to hypermethylation, cells can begin to grow uncontrollably, leading to cancer. The study review highlights a study involving 128 patients, which revealed significant changes in DNA methylation at specific loci in COVID-19 patients compared to those with other respiratory diseases. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may have unique effects on the genome that could predispose individuals to cancer.
 
Histone modifications, another form of epigenetic change, have also been implicated in COVID-19-related carcinogenesis. Histones are proteins that help package DNA into a compact, organized structure within the cell nucleus.
 
Modifications to histones can influence gene expression by making certain regions of the DNA more or less accessible for transcription. In COVID-19 patients, abnormal histone modifications have been linked to increased levels of inflammatory markers and a heightened risk of cancer. For example, a study conducted on 117 COVID-19-positive patients found increased histone H3 levels during ICU admission, with 50% of patients having detectable histone H3 levels at least once during their ICU stay. These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce epigenetic changes that may contribute to long-term health risks, including cancer.
 
Therapeutic Interventions: A Double-Edged Sword
While therapeutic interventions like corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs have been critical in managing severe COVID-19 cases, they may also carry long-term risks, particularly in terms of cancer development. Corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce inflammation and prevent severe immune reactions in COVID-19 patients. However, their long-term use can suppress the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, including those caused by oncogenic viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or human papillomavirus (HPV).
 
A study discussed in this review highlighted the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids, which can dampen the body’s natural ability to detect and eliminate pre-cancerous cells, thereby potentially increasing cancer risk. Similarly, the long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs, while necessary to prevent severe immune reactions, can disrupt the delicate balance of immune surveillance. This disruption can lead to the reactivation of latent oncogenic viruses and an increased risk of cancer development. One study found that COVID-19 patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs had a higher incidence of subsequent infections, including those caused by oncogenic viruses, raising concerns about the potential carcinogenic effects of these treatments.
 
Co-Infections: Enhancing the Oncogenic Landscape
The interplay between COVID-19 and co-infections with viruses like EBV and HPV has significant implications for cancer development. These co-infections can exacerbate immune dysregulation and increase inflammatory responses, creating an environment that is even more conducive to tumor growth. Research has shown that COVID-19 patients with concurrent EBV infections had significantly higher levels of inflammatory markers compared to those without co-infections. This suggests that co-infections may amplify the carcinogenic potential of COVID-19, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive monitoring of COVID-19 survivors.
 
In addition, the study review discusses the potential for a decrease in the frequency of HPV infection as a result of social isolation measures during the pandemic. However, it is hypothesized that COVID-19 and HPV co-infection could still contribute to triggering carcinogenesis, although more research is needed to confirm this hypothesis. The synergistic effects of these oncogenic viruses underscore the complexity of the immune response in the context of COVID-19 and emphasize the importance of addressing these co-infections in clinical settings.
 
The Rising Incidence of Synchronous and Metachronous Cancers
Another concerning trend is the increased occurrence of synchronous and metachronous cancers in COVID-19 survivors. Synchronous cancers are two or more primary cancers diagnosed simultaneously or within a short period, while metachronous cancers develop sequentially. The immune suppression and chronic inflammation caused by COVID-19 may increase the likelihood of these multiple primary cancers, posing a new challenge for healthcare providers.
 
Studies have indicated that COVID-19 survivors, particularly those who experienced severe disease, are more likely to develop cancers within two years post-recovery. The persistent inflammatory state and immune dysregulation observed in these patients may be key drivers of this increased cancer risk. For example, a study by Pinato et al. found that COVID-19 survivors with severe disease were significantly more likely to develop cancers, particularly hematological malignancies like leukemia and lymphoma. These findings suggest that the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 extend far beyond the acute phase of the disease, highlighting the need for ongoing cancer surveillance in this population.
 
Changes in Cancer Behavior Post-COVID-19
Emerging data also suggest that COVID-19 may influence the behavior and molecular characteristics of certain cancers. For instance, breast cancer patients diagnosed post-COVID-19 have been observed to exhibit more aggressive tumor behavior compared to those diagnosed before the pandemic. This includes higher proliferation rates and an increased incidence of triple-negative breast cancer, which is typically more difficult to treat and has a poorer prognosis. A retrospective study comparing data from women diagnosed before and during the pandemic found that the frequency of triple-negative tumors nearly doubled during the COVID-19 period, raising concerns about the potential impact of the virus on cancer biology.
 
Conclusion: The Need for Ongoing Surveillance and Research
The potential link between COVID-19 and cancer is a complex interplay of immune dysregulation, genetic and epigenetic changes, therapeutic interventions, and co-infections. The findings discussed in this article underscore the importance of integrating cancer surveillance into the post-recovery care of COVID-19 patients. This approach is crucial for the early detection and management of cancer in this vulnerable population.
 
Moreover, ongoing research is essential to fully understand the mechanisms behind SARS-CoV-2-induced carcinogenesis. Longitudinal studies tracking cancer incidence in COVID-19 survivors will provide valuable insights into the long-term risks posed by the virus and inform strategies for prevention and treatment.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Cureus.
https://www.cureus.com/articles/289494-covid-19-and-carcinogenesis-exploring-the-hidden-links#!/
 
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