Cytoskeletal Remodeling by Oncoviruses: A Key Factor in Tumor Invasion and Metastasisa

Tumor invasion and metastasis, the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, are critically driven by cytoskeletal remodeling, a process extensively hijacked by oncoviruses to promote malignant progression. This review comprehensively examines how oncoviruses-including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and others-remodel key cytoskeletal components such as actin microfilaments, intermediate filaments (IFs), and microtubules (MTs). These virus-induced alterations facilitate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), enhance cell migration, and enable extracellular matrix degradation, thereby fostering tumor spread. We discuss specific mechanisms, including viral protein interactions and the deregulation of signaling pathways such as Rho GTPases and mTOR, which collectively orchestrate cytoskeletal dynamics to support invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, this review highlights emerging therapeutic opportunities, including targeting FSCN1 (Fascin Actin-bundling Protein 1, FSCN1) inhibition or using small-molecule inhibitors to disrupt oncovirus-mediated cytoskeletal changes and impede tumor progression. By bridging virology and cancer biology, this review provides novel insights for developing precision antimetastatic strategies and underscores the pivotal role of viral-cytoskeletal interplay in oncology.