Research into infections and cancer
You cannot 'catch' cancer from another person. But some infections play a role in causing some types of the disease. For example, the human papilloma virus (HPV) is associated with cervical and skin cancers. And a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori can cause stomach cancer.
The link between certain infections and cancer means that it may be possible in the future to prevent some cases of cancer by preventing these infections. The newly developed HPV vaccine for cervical cancer hopes to do just this.
Our researchers are investigating the different types of bacteria and viruses that cause certain types of cancer. This information could be used to devise new ways to both prevent and treat these forms of the disease.
Below are some of the highlights of our research into bacteria and viruses.
Cervical cancer
Dr Sally Roberts
Division of Cancer Studies
Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, Birmingham
Investigating how HPV causes cervical cancer
Dr Sally Roberts works at the Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies in Birmingham. She is investigating how human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cells to multiply out of control, leading to cervical cancer. Finding out more about HPV could lead to better treatment and prevention strategies for cervical cancer.
Lymphoma
Prof Alan Rickinson
Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies
The University of Birmingham, Birmingham
Understanding viruses that cause cancer
Professor Alan Rickinson is a world expert on the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). This virus is linked to certain types of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma - cancers that arise from cells of the immune system.
Prof Lawrence Young
Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies
The University of Birmingham, Birmingham
Understanding viruses that cause cancer
Professor Lawrence Young is Head of College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Together with his team, he is investigating how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to certain types of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Prof Lawrence Young
Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies
The University of Birmingham, Birmingham
Understanding viruses that cause cancer
Professor Lawrence Young is Head of College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. Together with his team, he is investigating how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to certain types of cancer including Hodgkin's lymphoma and nasopharyngeal cancer.
Skin cancer
Dr Charlotte Proby
Cancer Research UK Skin Tumour Laboratory
University of Dundee, Dundee
HPV infection and non-melanoma skin cancer
Dr Charlotte Proby is studying how the human papillomavirus (HPV) contributes to the development of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most common cancer in the UK. Dr Proby is particularly interested in finding ways to prevent skin cancers that develop in people who have received an organ transplant. These people are at 100-fold greater risk of developing this disease because their immune system is suppressed as part of the transplant procedure.
Prof Alan Storey
HPV Apoptosis and Cancer Group
Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford
HPV infection and non-melanoma skin cancer
Professor Alan Storey leads the HPV Apoptosis and Cancer Group at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. His research focuses on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK. Although NMSC is rarely life-threatening, it is estimated that there are at least 100,000 cases in the UK each year making it a significant public health problem. Professor Storey's team is investigating how human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the skin can contribute to the development of this disease.
Soft tissue sarcoma
Dr David Blackbourn
Tumour virology
Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies, Birmingham
Understanding how viruses cause cancer
At the Cancer Research UK Institute for Cancer Studies in Birmingham, Dr David Blackbourn is investigating a cancer-causing virus called Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Understanding more about this virus could lead to new ways to prevent or treat the cancer it causes.
Prof Chris Boshoff
Cancer Research UK Viral Oncology Group
UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London
Understanding Kaposi's sarcoma
Professor Chris Boshoff is Director of the Cancer Research UK Viral Oncology Group based at the Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research at University College London. Professor Boshoff is a world leader in understanding how infection with a virus called Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) is linked to a type of cancer called Kaposi sarcoma.
Stomach cancer
Prof John Atherton
Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre
University of Nottingham, Nottingham
How do bacteria cause stomach cancer?
Professor John Atherton is director of the Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre. His research focuses on how infection with a type of bacteria called H. pylori can cause stomach cancer in some people. Professor Atherton's group is comparing different strains of H. pylori to work out why some strains increase the risk of cancer while others are harmless.
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