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Journals / Experimed / 2026 / Volume: 15 Issue: 2

The Clinical Pathway of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type-1 (HTLV-1) from Infection to Leukemia: A Comprehensive Review

Abolfazl Jafarı-sales(Islamic Azad University, Department of Microbiology, Kaz.C.)0000-0002-5710-4076
Aylin Golestani(Islamic Azad University, Infectious Diseases Research Center, TaMS.C.)0009-0008-0886-9874
Zahra Ghahremani(Islamic Azad University, Infectious Diseases Research Center, TaMS.C.)0009-0002-9744-3707
Kosar Soleymanpour(Islamic Azad University, Infectious Diseases Research Center, TaMS.C.)0009-0002-2559-4645
Kosar Hosseini-karkaj(Islamic Azad University, Infectious Diseases Research Center, TaMS.C.)0009-0001-1120-9665
Parya Rouhi(Islamic Azad University, Infectious Diseases Research Center, TaMS.C.)0009-0006-2944-8134
Mehrdad Pashazadeh(Islamic Azad University, Infectious Diseases Research Center, TaMS.C.)0009-0005-0694-4592
Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi(Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center)0000-0002-2513-5361
Mohaddeseh Bahmani(Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Department of Virology)0000-0002-7438-7653
Journal
Experimed
Pages
—
Publication Date
2025-08-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

This comprehensive review delineates the pathophysiological continuum from HTLV-1 infection to ATLL, emphasizing the molecular underpinnings of viral oncogenesis, the clinical relevance of early leukemia detection, and the current challenges in prevention and management.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a member of the Retroviridae family, is a pathogenic retrovirus that primarily includes two clinically relevant types: HTLV-1 and HTLV-2.
📊
Key Findings & Data:HTLV-1 is etiologically linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a highly aggressive hematological malignancy.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:This comprehensive review delineates the pathophysiological continuum from HTLV-1 infection to ATLL, emphasizing the molecular underpinnings of viral oncogenesis, the clinical relevance of early leukemia detection, and the current challenges in prevention and management.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Adult T-cell leukemia · Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 · Leukemia

Abstract

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a member of the Retroviridae family, is a pathogenic retrovirus that primarily includes two clinically relevant types: HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. HTLV-1 is etiologically linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a highly aggressive hematological malignancy. The principal modes of HTLV-1 transmission are mother-to-child (predominantly via breastfeeding), sexual contact, and exposure to contaminated blood products. The viral oncoprotein Tax and HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor are central to the virus’s oncogenic potential, orchestrating a cascade of genetic and molecular alterations that drive the clonal proliferation and malignant transformation of infected lymphocytes over a prolonged latent period, often spanning several years. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanisms underlying the clonal evolution and emergence of leukemic cells remain incompletely elucidated. Diagnosis typically relies on a two-step serological screening approach. While preventive strategies have been implemented, HTLV-1, like other retroviruses, persists as a lifelong infection, and no definitive cure or effective vaccine is currently available. This comprehensive review delineates the pathophysiological continuum from HTLV-1 infection to ATLL, emphasizing the molecular underpinnings of viral oncogenesis, the clinical relevance of early leukemia detection, and the current challenges in prevention and management.

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Cite This Article

Jafarı-sales, A., Golestani, A., Ghahremani, Z., Soleymanpour, K., Hosseini-karkaj, K., Rouhi, P., Pashazadeh, M., Baghi, H. B., Bahmani, M. (2025). The Clinical Pathway of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type-1 (HTLV-1) from Infection to Leukemia: A Comprehensive Review. Experimed, Volume: 15 Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1668109

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