Evidence of human cytomegalovirus infection and expression of 5-lipoxygenase in borderline ovarian tumors

Adaptive natural killer cell expression in response to cytomegalovirus infection in blood and solid cancer

Natural Killer (NK) cells are conventionally thought to be an indefinite part of innate immunity. However, in a specific subset of NK cells, recent data signify an extension of their "duties" in immune surveillance and response, having characteristics of adaptive immunity, in terms of persistence and cytotoxicity. These cells are known as the adaptive or memory-like NK cells, where human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been shown to drive the expansion of adaptive NKG2C+ NK cells. HCMV is a ubiquitous pathogen whose prevalence differs worldwide with respect to the socioeconomic status of countries. The adaptive NK cell subpopulation is often characterized by the upregulated expression of NKG2C, CD16, and CD2, and restricted expression of NKG2A, FCεRγ and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), although these phenotypes may differ in different disease groups. The reconfiguration of these receptor distributions has been linked to epigenetic factors. Hence, this review attempts to appraise literature reporting markers associated with adaptive or memory-like NK cells post-HCMV infection, in relation to solid cancers and hematological malignancies. Adaptive NK cells, isolated and subjected to ex vivo modifications, have the potential to enhance anti-tumor response which can be a promising strategy for adoptive immunotherapy.

Human cytomegalovirus in cancer: the mechanism of HCMV-induced carcinogenesis and its therapeutic potential

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a well-studied herpesvirus, has been implicated in malignancies derived from breast, colorectal muscle, brain, and other cancers. Intricate host-virus interactions are responsible for the cascade of events that have the potential to result in the transformed phenotype of normal cells. The HCMV genome contains oncogenes that may initiate these types of cancers, and although the primary HCMV infection is usually asymptomatic, the virus remains in the body in a latent or persistent form. Viral reactivation causes severe health issues in immune-compromised individuals, including cancer patients, organ transplants, and AIDS patients. This review focuses on the immunologic mechanisms and molecular mechanisms of HCMV-induced carcinogenesis, methods of HCMV treatment, and other studies. Studies show that HCMV DNA and virus-specific antibodies are present in many types of cancers, implicating HCMV as an important player in cancer progression. Importantly, many clinical trials have been initiated to exploit HCMV as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer, particularly in immunotherapy strategies in the treatment of breast cancer and glioblastoma patients. Taken together, these findings support a link between HCMV infections and cellular growth that develops into cancer. More importantly, HCMV is the leading cause of birth defects in newborns, and infection with HCMV is responsible for abortions in pregnant women.

Pelvic inflammatory disease in the adolescent and young adult: An update

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of the female upper genital tract that is typically polymicrobial with classic core involvement of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis, though other endogenous flora from the vagino-cervical areas can be involved as well. It is often a sexually transmitted disease but other etiologic routes are also noted. A variety of risk factors have been identified including adolescence, young adulthood, adolescent cervical ectropion, multiple sexual partners, immature immune system, history of previous PID, risky contraceptive practices and others. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary to reduce risks of PID complications such as chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Current management principles of PID are also reviewed. It is important for clinicians to screen sexually active females for common sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia trachomatis and provide safer sex education to their adolescent and young adult patients. Clinicians should provide comprehensive management to persons with PID and utilize established guidelines such as those from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).