The Brief

Researchers found flu and COVID infections can awaken dormant cancer cells in mice and humans.

Inflammation, IL-6 signaling, and immune cell dynamics were central to the reactivation process.

Human data confirmed COVID-19 increased cancer recurrence and mortality risk.

LOS ANGELES - Infections like influenza and COVID-19 may do more than cause temporary illness. A new study suggests they can also "wake up" dormant cancer cells, potentially increasing the risk of recurrence and metastasis years after treatment.

The research, led by Dr. James DeGregori at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, was published July 30 in Nature . Scientists tested how respiratory viruses affect dormant cancer cells using mouse models of breast cancer, and then compared those fin

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