Seasonal flu and COVID-19 could “wake up” dormant cancer cells

A significant scientific discovery is raising new questions about how common infections, such as COVID-19 and seasonal flu, may affect people who have previously had breast cancer, according to *The Times*.

These viruses could “wake up” dormant cancerous cells that have remained hidden in the body, particularly in the lungs, even years after treatment.

Conducted by a team of scientists from several European and American universities, the study has shown that respiratory infections trigger “strong inflammatory responses” in the lungs, which can alter the microenvironment where the dormant cancer cells reside.

These cells, left behind after chemotherapy or surgery, are almost ready to become active but remain dormant until they receive a “biological signal” to reactivate.

Infections like COVID-19 or the flu, researchers say, may act precisely as such a trigger.

When the body encounters viruses, the immune system releases inflammatory cytokines, substances that trigger the body’s protective response. Instead of being limited to fighting the virus, these molecules can affect blood vessel growth and tissue changes, creating conditions that facilitate the activation of dormant cancer cells.

To test this hypothesis, researchers analyzed laboratory and animal models with breast cancer cells that had spread to the lungs but remained inactive. After exposure to respiratory infections similar to COVID-19 and the flu, some of these cells began to proliferate again, forming micrometastases the first sparks of disease recurrence.

These findings are also supported by clinical observations in patients, where some women who had previously had breast cancer experienced a recurrence after a severe respiratory infection. However, researchers emphasize that there is still no conclusive evidence that the virus directly causes the recurrence; rather, it is a complex interaction between the immune system and the cancer cells.

According to the study’s authors, these findings should not cause panic but should encourage increased caution among people who have previously had breast cancer. Researchers are also investigating ways to block the “awakening” of dormant cells through drugs that inhibit inflammatory signals, a new approach that could pave the way for preventive treatments against cancer recurrence.

“Our results suggest that inflammation, especially that caused by viral infections, may play a larger role than previously thought in activating cancer cells. If we can fully understand this process, we could prevent many serious recurrences in the future,” the study notes.

Finally, the research emphasizes that protecting lung health and strengthening the immune system is not only important for defending against viruses but also for maintaining the delicate balance that prevents the return of serious diseases like breast cancer.

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