The Viral-like Behavior of Pancreatic Cancer

Course overview

Repeat elements comprise approximately 60% of the genome, which is derepressed in the setting of cancer. Repeat RNAs have shown viral-like properties including being sensed by pattern recognition receptors, which are part of our innate immune response to viruses. These repeat elements can replicate and mobilize in the genome through retrotransposition, which can be inhibited with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) that are used as anti-viral drugs. Finally, these repeat RNAs are packaged in extracellular vesicles and delivered to the surrounding tumor microenvironment leading to an inflammatory response similar to a viral infection.