Oncovirus
Oncovirus
Oncovirus (pronunciation: /ˈɒŋkoʊˌvaɪrəs/) is a type of virus that can cause cancer. The term originates from the Greek words 'onkos' meaning mass or tumor, and 'virus', which refers to a type of infectious agent.
Etymology
The term "oncovirus" is derived from the Greek word "onkos" which means mass or tumor, and the Latin word "virus" which means poison or slimy liquid. It was first used in the late 20th century to describe viruses that have the ability to induce cancer.
Types of Oncoviruses
There are several types of oncoviruses including Retroviruses, Hepatitis B and C viruses, Human papillomavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Human T-lymphotropic virus, and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus.
Mechanism of Action
Oncoviruses cause cancer by integrating their genetic material into the DNA of the host cell. This can lead to the activation of oncogenes or the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of a tumor.
Related Terms
- Virus: A type of infectious agent that can only replicate inside the cells of a host organism.
- Cancer: A group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
- Oncogene: A gene that has the potential to cause cancer.
- Tumor suppressor gene: A gene that protects a cell from one step on the path to cancer.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Oncovirus
- Wikipedia's article - Oncovirus
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