COVID-19 May Raise Lung Cancer Risk—What Scientists Just Discovered

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Emerging research is raising new concerns about the long-term health effects of COVID-19—including a possible link to lung cancer.

Scientists from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and Hebrew University of Jerusalem have identified biological mechanisms that could connect prior COVID-19 infection to an increased risk of developing lung cancer over time.

What the Study Found

Published in Frontiers in Immunology, the study combined human clinical data with laboratory research to better understand how the virus may affect the lungs long after recovery.

Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2—the virus responsible for COVID-19—may trigger changes in lung tissue that go beyond short-term illness. These changes include inflammation, scarring, and alterations in immune response, all of which are known contributors to cancer development.

A Key Protein May Play a Role

One of the most significant findings involves a protein called thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP). The study suggests that TYMP may interact with the virus’s spike protein, setting off a cascade of biological processes linked to:

  • Chronic inflammation
  • Lung fibrosis (scarring)
  • Activation of tumor-promoting pathways

These effects may create an environment in the lungs that is more favorable for cancer growth.

Real-World Data Shows Higher Risk

To support their findings, researchers analyzed data from the TriNetX Research Network. They observed a higher incidence of lung cancer among individuals who had previously been infected with COVID-19.

The increased risk was particularly noticeable in:

  • Current smokers
  • Former smokers

This suggests that COVID-19 may amplify existing risk factors rather than act alone.

Why This Matters

While the study does not prove that COVID-19 directly causes lung cancer, it highlights a concerning possibility: the virus may create long-term biological changes that increase susceptibility.

Health experts emphasize that more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand the full scope of the risk.

The Bigger Picture

These findings add to a growing body of evidence that COVID-19 can have lasting effects well beyond the initial infection. Researchers hope this work will lead to:

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