Peer-review started: March 31, 2021
First decision: July 31, 2021
Revised: August 10, 2021
Accepted: December 2, 2021
Article in press: December 2, 2021
Published online: January 25, 2022
Processing time: 294 Days and 22 Hours
Virus-related cancers in humans are widely recognized, but in the case of renal cancer, the link with the world of viruses is not clearly established in humans, despite being known in animal biology. In the present review, we aimed to explore the literature on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) for a possible role of viruses in human RCC tumorigenesis and immune homeostasis, hypothesizing the contribution of viruses to the immunogenicity of this tumor. A scientific literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases with the keywords “virus” or “viruses” or “viral infection” matched with (“AND”) “renal cell carcinoma” or “kidney cancer” or “renal cancer” or “renal carcinoma” or “renal tumor” or “RCC”. The retrieved findings evidenced two main aspects testifying to the relationship between RCC and viruses: The presence of viruses within the tumor, especially in non-clear cell RCC cases, and RCC occurrence in cases with pre-existing chronic viral infections. Some retrieved translational and clinical data suggest the possible contribution of viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, to the marked immunogenicity of sarcomatoid RCC. In addition, it was revealed the possible role of endogenous retrovirus reactivation in RCC oncogenesis, introducing new fascinating hypotheses about this tumor’s immunogenicity and likeliness of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Core Tip: An overview of the complex interplay between viral agents and renal carcinogenesis, possibly influencing the course of the disease, the tumor immune microenvironment, the production of new antigens, the host’s and the tumor’s immunogenicity, and, even more, the response to immune checkpoint blockade.