Infectious Agents and Cancer

Dr. Harald zur Hausen

The editorial board of Infectious Agents and Cancer is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr/Prof Harald zur Hausen, Nobel Prize winner in 2008 for the discovery of the association between HPV and cervical cancer. The editors, who had the privilege of having Prof zur Hausen as a member of the editorial advisory board of a journal inspired by his achievements, express their condolences to his wife, Dr/Prof Ethel-Michele de Villiers, and to all his family.

_{(Photographer: Armin Kübelbeck, CC-BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons)}

“Cancers related to infectious diseases represent a very significant component of the cancer burden in humans spanning from 20% of all malignancies in industrialized countries to 40% in developing countries. Studies on pathogen-related cancers allow the identification of mechanisms relevant to oncogenesis as well as molecular markers for diagnostic/prognostic methods and targets for therapeutic strategies. Furthermore their relevance is due to the concrete possibility of preventive strategies, which are always cost-effective and can usually be implemented with relatively modest investments. The open access policy of Infectious Agents and Cancer represents a key factor to foster an even participation and contribution by Western as well as Eastern/Southern Countries' colleagues.”

Dr Franco M. Buonaguro, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Infectious Agents and Cancer

“Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that about 20% of cancers in developed countries and close to 30% of cancers in developing countries have an infectious etiology. These statistics articulate the imperative to study the epidemiology, biology, and response to treatment of infection-associated cancers to establish sound evidence-based approaches to cancer public policy, prevention, and treatment. The open access policy of Infectious Agents and Cancer represents a key component in the broad efforts to foster, accelerate, and reduce disparity in access to scientific information by scientists, public health authorities, and policy markers worldwide.”

Dr Sam M Mbulaiteye, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Infectious Agents and Cancer

“Cancers caused by infectious agents develop through a multistep process mostly depending on the intricate interplay between pathogens and host factors.  A paradigmatic example is the ability of all human tumour viruses to subvert the cell signalling machinery and metabolic pathways through the functional inactivation of the tumour suppressor p53. Moreover, oncogenic infectious organisms are known to deploy immune evasion strategies leading to persistent infection, chronic inflammation and continuing genomic instability of the infected cells.  The study of molecular mechanisms involved in pathogens-mediated oncogenesis is crucial for the identification of effective biomarkers for early diagnosis and of targets for pharmacological treatments. The open access policy of Infectious Agents and Cancer represents a key factor to optimize the communication of epidemiological studies, laboratory investigations and clinical research results related to pathogen-associated cancers”

Dr Maria Lina Tornesello, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Infectious Agents and Cancer