Skin cancer may thrive on its own 'helper' virus
Scientists have discovered that beta-HPV, a virus once thought to only help start skin cancer (cSCC) by making UV damage worse, can actually keep these tumors growing on its own.
The breakthrough came from studying a 34-year-old woman whose recurring forehead tumors had beta-HPV built right into their DNA—helping the cancer progress faster.
A bone marrow transplant cleared the virus
The woman's inherited immune deficiency meant her body couldn't clear out beta-HPV, so the virus lingered and fueled more problems—even though her DNA repair worked normally.
After she got a bone marrow transplant that fixed her immune system, both her skin tumors and other HPV-related issues disappeared and stayed gone for three years.
Research shows beta-HPV can keep driving cancer
This research challenges old ideas that beta-HPV just "kickstarts" cSCC and then leaves.
Instead, it shows the virus can keep driving cancer if your immune defenses are weak.
The takeaway? Doctors may need to look at both your immune health and viral infections when treating this type of skin cancer—kind of like how newer HPV vaccines are helping prevent other cancers too.