COVID, flu viruses can awaken dormant cancer cells, finds US study: Know what it means and how serious it is

New research from the University of Colorado reveals that common respiratory infections like influenza and COVID-19 may trigger cancer recurrence in survivors. Studies in mice showed a surge in dormant cancer cells in the lungs following infection, driven by the inflammatory molecule IL-6. Human data indicated a higher risk of cancer-related death and metastasis among COVID-19 patients.