Program Structure

Module 1: Viral Oncology — Why Viruses Matter in Cancer

• How infection becomes cancer risk: persistence, transformation, chronic inflammation.
• Direct vs indirect oncogenesis: viral oncogenes vs immune/inflammation-driven mechanisms.
• Latency and integration: why some viruses remain for life and change cell behavior.
• Overview of virus-associated cancers and global burden (high-level).

Module 2: Core Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis

• Cell cycle disruption: targeting p53, RB, and checkpoint pathways (concept).
• Apoptosis evasion and survival signaling activation.
• Genomic instability: integration effects and DNA damage links.
• Epigenetic and transcriptional rewiring caused by viral infection (overview).

Module 3: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical/Head-Neck Cancers

• HPV lifecycle basics and epithelial infection.
• E6/E7 oncoproteins: p53/RB disruption and transformation logic.
• HPV integration and progression from infection to malignancy.
• Prevention: HPV vaccines and screening strategies (Pap/HPV testing overview).

Module 4: Hepatitis Viruses (HBV/HCV) and Liver Cancer

• Chronic hepatitis and inflammation-driven tumorigenesis.
• HBV integration and viral proteins (overview) and liver cancer risk.
• HCV and indirect mechanisms: immune-driven damage and fibrosis progression.
• Prevention/control: vaccination (HBV), antivirals (HCV), surveillance concepts.

Module 5: Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) and Virus-Driven Lymphomas

• EBV latency and persistence in B-cells.
• Viral proteins and signaling: LMP1/LMP2 concepts and survival pathways.
• Associated cancers: Burkitt lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (overview).
• Immune status and risk: why immunosuppression increases EBV-driven cancers.

Module 6: HTLV-1 and Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL)

• Retroviral basics and long-term persistence.
• Transformation mechanisms concept (Tax/HBZ overview) and T-cell dysregulation.
• Latency and long incubation periods: why ATL appears years later.
• Public health angle: transmission routes and prevention measures.

Module 7: KSHV/HHV-8 and Kaposi’s Sarcoma

• Virus-driven angiogenesis and tumor microenvironment changes (concept).
• Kaposi’s sarcoma and immune suppression links (HIV/AIDS context overview).
• Associated conditions: primary effusion lymphoma (overview).
• Prevention/management concepts in immunocompromised populations.

Module 8: Diagnostics, Biomarkers & Laboratory Detection

• Molecular detection: PCR/RT-PCR concepts for viral DNA/RNA.
• Serology: antibody markers and what they indicate about infection stage.
• Tissue-based detection: immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) overview.
• Interpreting positives: infection vs causation vs tumor association.

Module 9: Prevention, Vaccination & Public Health Strategy

• Primary prevention: vaccines, safe practices, blood safety, and education.
• Secondary prevention: screening programs and early lesion detection.
• Tertiary prevention: surveillance and recurrence monitoring concepts.
• Equity and implementation: access, uptake, and communication challenges.

Final Project

• Create a Virus-to-Cancer Mechanism & Prevention Dossier for one oncogenic virus.
• Include: lifecycle summary, molecular mechanisms, associated cancers, diagnostic approach, and prevention plan.
• Example projects: HPV and cervical cancer prevention pathway, HBV/HCV liver cancer risk dossier, EBV lymphoma mechanism map, KSHV in immunocompromised populations plan.