CU Cancer Center

Respiratory Viruses Can Reactivate Dormant Cancer Cells

Written by Colorado Public Radio (CPR) | July 31, 2025

New research from CU Cancer Center Deputy Director James DeGregori, PhD, shows respiratory viruses like flu and COVID-19 can reawaken dormant cancer cells in the lungs, increasing the risk of relapse. Mouse models and human population studies reveal a significant link between infections and metastatic cancer progression.