CU Cancer Center

Respiratory Viruses May Reactivate Dormant Breast Cancer

Written by Daily Mail | October 28, 2025

Research led by University of Colorado Cancer Center's James DeGregori, PhD, shows that respiratory infections like flu and COVID-19 can awaken dormant breast cancer cells in the lungs, increasing the risk of metastatic recurrence in survivors. Vaccination and infection prevention may help reduce this risk.