Cancer as Viral Life: Exploring the Viral Origins of Oncogenesis

Abstract

Viruses are among the oldest biological entities, predating cellular life and evolving strategies for
replication that bypass aging and metabolic constraints. Their genetic remnants—particularly
human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)—make up approximately 8% of the human genome and
have been implicated in both physiological and pathological processes. Emerging evidence
suggests that some cancers may be driven, at least in part, by the reactivation or functional
mimicry of these ancient viral elements. This article explores the hypothesis that cancer represents
a form of "viral life," with tumors behaving as quasi-viral systems that exhibit immortality, immune
evasion, and genome propagation through mechanisms reminiscent of viral biology. Drawing from
genomic data, cancer virology, and recent discoveries in HERV expression, we propose a framework
in which certain malignancies are influenced by endogenous or exogenous viral sequences. We
discuss how this perspective opens new research directions, including genome-wide viral
mapping, CRISPR-mediated excision of viral loci, and immunotherapies targeting HERV-derived
antigens. This paradigm challenges traditional views of cancer etiology and offers promising
avenues for diagnostics, prevention, and treatment through antiviral strategies.