The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), as remnants of ancient exogenous retroviruses in the human genome, have received increased attention regarding their pathogenic effects caused by abnormal activation. In normal somatic cells, HERVs are tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms and are rarely e...

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Main Authors: Yao Lin, Rosanna Rita Satta, Elena Rita Simula, Shijie Tang, Paola Molicotti, Antonio Cossu, Corrado Rubino, Leonardo Antonio Sechi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1662
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author Yao Lin
Rosanna Rita Satta
Elena Rita Simula
Shijie Tang
Paola Molicotti
Antonio Cossu
Corrado Rubino
Leonardo Antonio Sechi
author_facet Yao Lin
Rosanna Rita Satta
Elena Rita Simula
Shijie Tang
Paola Molicotti
Antonio Cossu
Corrado Rubino
Leonardo Antonio Sechi
author_sort Yao Lin
collection DOAJ
description Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), as remnants of ancient exogenous retroviruses in the human genome, have received increased attention regarding their pathogenic effects caused by abnormal activation. In normal somatic cells, HERVs are tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms and are rarely expressed. In cancer cells, likely due to epigenetic dysregulation, HERVs become abnormally activated and are transcribed and expressed. The innate and adaptive immune responses triggered by HERV activation are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. Melanoma, as a malignant tumor, often exhibits a poor prognosis in advanced-stage patients. HERVs have been found to be expressed in melanoma and linked to its malignant transformation. Here, we review the potential roles HERVs may play in melanoma development. As promising therapeutic targets for melanoma, research on HERVs could facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-2a321f3f8b834cac989d2c5c47adde422025-08-20T03:04:42ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-07-01137166210.3390/biomedicines13071662The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of MelanomaYao Lin0Rosanna Rita Satta1Elena Rita Simula2Shijie Tang3Paola Molicotti4Antonio Cossu5Corrado Rubino6Leonardo Antonio Sechi7Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Plastic Surgery and Burn Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515051, ChinaDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, ItalyHuman endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), as remnants of ancient exogenous retroviruses in the human genome, have received increased attention regarding their pathogenic effects caused by abnormal activation. In normal somatic cells, HERVs are tightly regulated by epigenetic mechanisms and are rarely expressed. In cancer cells, likely due to epigenetic dysregulation, HERVs become abnormally activated and are transcribed and expressed. The innate and adaptive immune responses triggered by HERV activation are closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. Melanoma, as a malignant tumor, often exhibits a poor prognosis in advanced-stage patients. HERVs have been found to be expressed in melanoma and linked to its malignant transformation. Here, we review the potential roles HERVs may play in melanoma development. As promising therapeutic targets for melanoma, research on HERVs could facilitate the development of novel treatment strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1662human endogenous retrovirusmelanomaepigenetic dysregulationimmune responsetreatment
spellingShingle Yao Lin
Rosanna Rita Satta
Elena Rita Simula
Shijie Tang
Paola Molicotti
Antonio Cossu
Corrado Rubino
Leonardo Antonio Sechi
The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma
Biomedicines
human endogenous retrovirus
melanoma
epigenetic dysregulation
immune response
treatment
title The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma
title_full The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma
title_fullStr The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma
title_short The Role of Human Endogenous Retroviruses in the Initiation and Progression of Melanoma
title_sort role of human endogenous retroviruses in the initiation and progression of melanoma
topic human endogenous retrovirus
melanoma
epigenetic dysregulation
immune response
treatment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/7/1662
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