Respiratory viruses are common, but new research shows they may do more than just cause a cough or fever. Scientists have discovered that these infections can reactivate dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs, increasing the risk of relapse. Here’s what the study reveals.
Respiratory infections may trigger cancer relapse
Researchers found that viral infections such as influenza or COVID-19 can wake up dormant breast cancer cells, pushing them back into growth mode.
Breast cancer dormancy explained
Many women experience remission after initial treatment, but some cancer cells remain “asleep” in the body. These dormant cells can survive for years and later reactivate.
The role of lung infections
Respiratory infections create inflammation in the lungs, releasing molecules like interleukin-6 (IL-6) that disturb the environment and make it easier for dormant cancer cells to start dividing again.
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A rapid increase in tumor cells
In mouse models, viral infections caused dormant cells in the lungs to multiply up to 1,000 times within days, showing how powerful the trigger effect can be.
Inflammatory pathways fuel growth
The study identified specific immune pathways, such as IL-6–JAK–STAT3 signaling, that support tumor expansion after infection. These mechanisms remodel tissue and create conditions favorable for cancer spread.
Hybrid cancer cell states
Dormant cells normally stay in a mesenchymal-like, non-dividing state. Infection forced them into a hybrid state that allowed them to both divide and survive, increasing their aggressiveness.
The role of T cells in sustaining cancer
CD4+ T cells, which usually help defend the body, were found to create niches that protect reactivated cancer cells while suppressing the ability of CD8+ T cells to attack them.
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COVID-19 poses additional risk
Using both mouse models and human data, researchers showed that SARS-CoV-2 infections also drive reactivation of dormant breast cancer cells, leading to higher relapse and mortality risks among survivors.
Human data confirms the link
Analysis from the UK Biobank revealed that cancer survivors who tested positive for COVID-19 faced significantly higher cancer-related mortality, especially in the months following infection.
New strategies may be needed
The findings highlight the importance of monitoring breast cancer survivors closely after respiratory infections and suggest future therapies could target IL-6 and immune cell interactions to reduce relapse risks.
Artiklen er baseret på informationer fra News Medical
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