How COVID-19 May Awaken Dormant Breast Cancer Cells? Study Provides Insights

A new study published in the journal Nature reveals that respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza can awaken dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs, potentially leading to cancer recurrence years after initial treatment.

Cancer recurrence remains a looming concern for survivors, even after remission. Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Utrecht University investigated the impact of viral infections on dormant breast cancer cells—also known as disseminated cancer cells (DCCs)—in mice. These DCCs migrate from the primary tumor to distant organs like the lungs and remain inactive for years. But the study found that respiratory viruses can act as a trigger, reactivating these cells and leading to rapid tumor formation.

In the experiment, mice that had dormant breast cancer cells in their lungs were exposed to either SARS-CoV-2 or influenza. Within just two weeks, the previously resting cells had begun to proliferate, forming visible tumors. Scientists found that inflammation caused by viral infection played a key role. When the immune system fights off infections, it releases signaling proteins to coordinate its response. One of these proteins, interleukin-6, was identified as a major driver behind the reactivation of dormant cancer cells.