Research and discovery of the first human cancer virus, HTLV-1

Best Pract Res Clin Haematol. 2011 Dec;24(4):559-65. doi: 10.1016/j.beha.2011.09.012. Epub 2011 Nov 16.

Abstract

Human T-cell lymphoma virus (HTLV)-1 was the first human retrovirus to be discovered. It has been recognized as the cause of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). In addition to giving a historical perspective on HTLV-1 and other retrovirus research, this paper discusses the origin of HTLV-1; the modes of transmission and global epidemiology of HTLV-1 infection; the genome of HTLV-1 and the mechanism of HTLV-1-induced leukemogenesis; the role of HTLV-1 in other diseases, and recent breakthroughs in ATL therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arsenic / administration & dosage
  • Arsenic / therapeutic use
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Transformation, Viral / genetics*
  • HTLV-I Infections / complications
  • HTLV-I Infections / drug therapy
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-I Infections / transmission
  • HTLV-I Infections / virology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Interferons / administration & dosage
  • Interferons / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / drug therapy
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / epidemiology*
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / etiology
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / pathology
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / virology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Viral Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Replication / drug effects
  • Zidovudine / administration & dosage
  • Zidovudine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Viral Proteins
  • Zidovudine
  • Interferons
  • Arsenic