A Review of KSHV: Lifecycle, Tumorigenesis, Immune Evasion and Therapeutic Strategies

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an important human gamma-herpesvirus, particularly with a significant incidence rate among AIDS patients and other immunosuppressed populations. This review introduces the basic virological characteristics of KSHV and elucidates the core molecular mechanisms underlying KSHV tumorigenesis. Clinical management primarily focuses on KSHV-related diseases, utilizing antiretroviral therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and therapies targeting specific targets. However, there still lack of specific anti-KSHV drugs in terms of treatment. Current research is increasingly directed toward novel therapeutic strategies, including those that sustain viral latency or promote lytic reactivation, alongside antigen-based immunotherapeutic approaches. Despite significant breakthroughs in research, the precise regulatory network of KSHV latent infection, the complex interactions between the virus and the host microenvironment (especially inflammatory and immune cells), as well as the development of highly effective and low-toxicity specific antiviral drugs, remain major challenges for the future. A deep understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of KSHV will lay a solid foundation for the development of more effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment methods.