Early‐life exposures to infectious agents and later cancer development. (17th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vedham, Vidya; Verma, Mukesh; Mahabir, Somdat
• Is Part Of: Cancer medicine. Volume 4:Number 12(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1908
• Page End: 1922
• Publication Date: 2015-09-17
• Subjects: Cancer -- early life exposure -- infectious agents -- perinatal transmission; 616.994005
• DOI: 10.1002/cam4.538
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7634

Abstract

Abstract : There is growing evidence that certain infectious agents acquired in early life can give rise to cancer development, but estimates of the cancer burden from this early‐life acquisition is unknown. In this article, we have selected five cancers (cervical, liver, Burkitt's lymphoma‐leukemia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and adult T‐cell leukemia‐lymphoma) and examine their links to infectious agents (HPV, HBV, HCV, EBV, and HTLV‐1) acquired in early life. For these agents, the acquisition in early life is from mother‐to‐child transmission, perinatal contact (with genital tract secretions, amniotic fluids, blood, and breast milk), saliva, sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, and diet as in the case of aflatoxin. We also discuss prevention strategies, address future directions, and propose mechanisms of action after a long latency period from the time of acquisition of the infectious agent in early life to cancer development. Abstract: There is a growing understanding that several infectious agents are acquired in early life and this is the reason why available vaccines target the new born, infants, and adolescents. Infectious agents are associated with cancer development and it is estimated that about 20% of the world's cancer burden is attributed to infectious agents. There is a growing evidence that certain infectious agents acquired in early life can give rise to cancer development, but estimates of the cancer burden from this early‐life acquisition is unknown. In this article, we have selected five cancers (cervical, liver, Burkitt's lymphoma‐leukemia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and adult T‐cell leukemia‐lymphoma) and examine their links to infectious agents (HPV, HBV, HCV, EBV, and HTLV‐1) acquired in early life. For these agents, the acquisition in early life is from mother‐to‐child transmission, perinatal contact (with genital tract secretions, amniotic fluids, blood, and breast milk), saliva, sexual intercourse, and blood transfusion. We also discuss prevention strategies, address future directions, and propose mechanisms of action after a long latency period from the time of acquisition of the infectious agent in early life to cancer development.