Viruses Linked With Cancers Mrs. Stewart Medical Interventions Central Magnet School

Essential Question How can viruses lead to cancer?

Introduction Sue Smith just found out that her cousin, Maria, was diagnosed with precancerous cells of her cervix. Maria is the daughter of Judy Smith’s brother, Jack. The precancerous cells were detected in the glandular tissue of her cervix during a routine Pap test, a screening test used to detect cervical cell changes. Maria’s doctor ran tests and determined that the abnormal cells were caused by a Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Maria had the precancerous cells removed with cryosurgery, a procedure that uses the extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen or argon gas to destroy the abnormal tissue. Maria is fine now and cancer-free, but has to go in more often for routine pap tests over the next few years to make sure that cancerous cells do not form.

Think – Pair – Share Cervical cancer strikes nearly a half a million women each year worldwide. HPV infections are the primary cause of cervical cancer. In lesson 3.1 you learned that cancer is caused by genetic mutations, so how is it that a virus, such as HPV, can cause cancer?

Viruses Review You learned in PBS that viruses are non-living particles which contain DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein capsid. They attach themselves to a host cell, insert their genetic material into the cell, and then completely take over all of the cell processes. When viruses insert their DNA or RNA into the host cell, the host cell’s genes are mutated. These mutations can sometimes cause the cell to become cancerous.

Human Papilloma Viruses (HPVs) DNA virus Invades skin cells and mucous membranes STD/STI HPV can mutate host cell DNA and causes abnormal cells to start growing and eventually can turn into cancer cells.

High Risk Strains 40+ strains of HPV HPV 16 and 18  cause about 70% of all cervical cancers HPV 31, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 58, and a few others HPV 6 and 11, cause about 90% of genital warts, which rarely develop into cancer. Most strains will never produce a symptom and will go away in 2 years on its own CDC.gov HPV Low Risk Strains

How is HPV spread? You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. Most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if you have had sex with only one person. You also can develop symptoms years after you have sex with someone who is infected making it hard to know when you first became infected.

What can HPV cause? Genital warts (warts on the genital areas)* Cervical cancer (cancer on a woman's cervix) Oropharyngeal cancer (cancer in the back of throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils) in women and men Vulvar and vaginal cancer (cancer on the vulva or vagina) in women Anal cancer (cancer on the anus) in women and men Penile cancer (cancer on the penis) in men *The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not usually the types that can cause cancer.

HPV = main cause of cervical cancer HPV has been discovered as the cause of more than 90% of all cervical cancers

HPV & Oropharyngeal Cancer

What does HPV look like?

Prevention 3 vaccines – Cervarix, Gardasil and Gardasil 9 protects against 4 types of the HPV virus that are commonly associated with cervical, vaginal, vulva and anal cancers and one that causes genital warts Must receive all 3 shots in 6 months and prior to becoming sexually active to be effective

Mercy Health – what to know about a pap smear Mercy Health  5 things physician and patients should know

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) EBV is a type of herpes virus known for causing infectious mononucleosis (commonly known as “mono”). EBV infects and stays in B- cells forever. No vaccine or medications are available.

EBV increases risk of nasopharyngeal cancer & Burkitt lymphoma.

EBV is also linked to Hodgkins lymphomas & stomach cancer.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) & Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Both viruses cause liver infection. The long-term infection caused by these viruses increases a person’s chance of developing liver cancer. There is a vaccine available to prevent HBV infection. There are a few medications available that are effective in treating HBV and HCV infections.

Hepatitis Healthy Liver Hepatitis Liver

Virology Virologists, scientists who study viruses, are constantly looking to create new drugs to cure these infections, as well as develop vaccines to prevent them from developing.

You will explore the virology career field and create a mock interview with a virologist who is working on creating a vaccine. Assignment: Mock Interview With a Virologist

Create a fictitious name for the vaccine that you are developing, as well as the company you are working for. Your questions must address the following topics:  The education or training necessary for this job  A typical day in the life of this professional  Your salary  A description of the product you are developing and your hopes for how it will prevent cancer