Oncogenic human viruses and notch signaling: a focus on key dysregulation within the NOTCH pathway

Although numerous risk factors influencing cancer progression have been identified, many aspects of the relationship between oncoviruses and tumor development remain poorly understood. One signalling pathway that has attracted considerable attention is the Notch signalling pathway, whose dysregulation by oncoviruses disrupts core cellular processes including cell proliferation, apoptosis resistance, stem cell maintenance, epithelial‑mesenchymal transition, and immune evasion—events that collectively drive malignant transformation and carcinogenesis. In this review, we summarize and critically discuss the key molecular mechanisms underlying the interaction between Notch signalling and major human oncoviruses, including human papillomavirus (HPV), human T‑lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‑1), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi’s sarcoma‑associated herpesvirus (KSHV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). We also highlight unresolved questions in the field and outline how deeper understanding of this virus–Notch crosstalk may inform future basic research, identify novel diagnostic biomarkers, and guide the development of targeted antiviral or anti‑cancer therapies.