Molecular Biology of Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpesvirus and Related Oncogenesis

Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), is the most recently identified human tumor virus, and is associated with the pathogenesis of Kaposi’s sarcoma and two lymphoproliferative disorders known to occur frequently in AIDS patients—primary effusion lymphoma and multicentric Castleman disease. In the 15 years since its discovery, intense studies have demonstrated an etiologic role for KSHV in the development of these malignancies. Here, we review the recent advances linked to understanding KSHV latent and lytic life cycle and the molecular mechanisms of KSHV-mediated oncogenesis in terms of transformation, cell signaling, cell growth and survival, angiogenesis and immune invasion, and highlight the potential therapeutic targets for blocking KSHV tumorigenesis.