Researchers find link between virus and cancerous tumors — 5 things to know

Researchers at Danbury (Conn.) Hospital analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Genome Atlas to conduct the first mapping of viral microRNAs among billions of microRNA sequences within cancer and adjacent normal tissues. The findings indicated that the Epstein-Barr virus is linked with solid tumors, according to Danbury Daily Voice.

Here are five things to know:

1. The link is correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with early stage cancers.

2. The discovery allows for further research to create a blood test able to detect the abnormal activation of the Epstein-Bar virus in early stage cancer patients.

3. Through the blood tests, researchers could devise personalized treatments for patients that would enhance their chance of survival.

4. The detection of the viral microRNAs may help identify early stage cancer patients who are considered at risk for poor outcomes.

5. Patients that are deemed high-risk could be candidates for novel therapeutic treatments including immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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