Genetic associations between COVID-19 and cancer with underlying mechanisms

Cancer typeGenetic link to COVID-19Mechanisms/PathophysiologyReference
Lung cancerIncreased risk, particularly in severe cases.- SARS-CoV-2 induces pulmonary fibrosis.
- Activates oncogenic pathways (e.g., PI3K/AKT), promoting cell proliferation.
- Depletes immune cells (NK cells, CTLs), impairing immune defense.
[130132]
Breast cancerLinked to HER2-positive cases in severe infections.- Viral hyperglycosylation disrupts protein interactions.
- E-Cadherin downregulation facilitates EMT and invasiveness.
- NF-κB activation drives inflammation and tumor progression.
[112, 133, 134]
Pancreatic cancerPotential modulation of tumorigenesis-related genes.- Upregulation of PTEN, CREB1, CASP3, and SMAD3.
- Chronic inflammation fosters oncogenesis and delays diagnosis.
[135137]
CRCCOVID-19-induced gut microbiota dysregulation.- Dysbiosis weakens mucosal immunity.
- Chronic inflammation exacerbates mucosal damage, increasing CRC risk.
[138141]
Oral cancerAltered angiogenesis and extracellular matrix regulation.- SARS-CoV-2 modulates angiopoietin-2 and EMMPRIN, promoting tumor growth and metastasis.[88, 142, 143]
Gastric cancerHigher incidence in critically ill patients.- Prolonged viral replication in the GI tract via ACE2 receptors.[144147]
Head and neck cancerLower risk, potentially due to reduced TMPRSS2 expression.- Limited viral entry minimizes cellular damage and oncogenesis.[148151]

ACE2: angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; COVID-19: coronavirus disease 2019; CRC: colorectal cancer; CTLs: cytotoxic T lymphocytes; EMMPRIN: extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; NK: natural killer; SARS-CoV-2: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2