Viral Carcinogenesis: A Concise Review

As per the International Classification of Diseases, oral cancer is a subtype of head-and-neck cancer which develops in the tongue, lips, salivary glands, floor of the mouth, gingiva, buccal surfaces, oropharynx, and other intraoral areas. It is commonly presumed at least 5 to 10 mutations in different genes cause the transformation of normal cells to malignant. They may be triggered on by exposure to a single agent or a combination of agents, random errors in genetic replication, or errors in DNA repair procedures. Oncogenic viruses are a serious threat to humans, farm animals, and pets. These viruses cause cell transformation, uncontrollable cell growth, and the formation of malignant tumors. This review summarizes on the role of such viruses in carcinogenesis, antiviral therapy, and therapeutic vaccines.