Hepatitis B and C viruses are associated with liver cancer.
Epstein Barr virus and Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus
are associated with lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and
Kaposi’s sarcoma. Helicobacter pylori is associated with a sub-
set of gastric cancers. These are just a few examples. For
instance, Kaposi’s sarcoma in Africa is 3 times more prevalent
that prostate cancer in the US. These cancers are rapid and
devastating, but they offer a unique scientific opportunity. For
some of these infectious agents, effective preventative measures
already exist. Examples are drugs against Helicobacter and
vaccines against HBV and HPV. Thus, just like other preventative
strategies e.g. tobacco control to prevent lung and oral
cancers, preventing infections with the agents listed above
should reduce the global burden of cancer. UNC Lineberger member
and associate professor of surgery, Carol Shores, MD, PhD, FACS,
has been working in Malawi to conduct innovative clinical trials
in Burkitt lymphoma (BL), whic