Herpesvirus infections, particularly those caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B), have significant implications for immune response and disease progression. A comprehensive analysis of 8,834 patients with EBV-related nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) revealed limitations in the AJCC/UICC TNM classification, particularly in differentiating outcomes between T2 and T3 categories (ref: Du doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.020/). In another study, the role of virus-reactive T cells in aplastic anemia was explored, demonstrating that T cells could eliminate hematopoietic progenitor cells through molecular mimicry, highlighting the potential for viral antigens to drive autoimmune responses (ref: Ben Hamza doi.org/10.1182/blood.2023023142/). Furthermore, HHV-6B was implicated as a pulmonary pathogen in patients post-hematopoietic cell transplant, with 37% of bronchoalveolar lavage samples testing positive for HHV-6B DNA, emphasizing the need for better understanding of its role in post-transplant pneumonia (ref: Hill doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44828-9/). These findings collectively underscore the complex interplay between herpesvirus infections and immune responses, with implications for disease management and therapeutic strategies.

EBV is a significant contributor to various malignancies, particularly lymphomas and gastric cancers. A study on the minimal set of EBV genes necessary for B cell transformation identified LMP1 and EBNA2 as critical for this process, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of EBV oncogenesis (ref: Zhang doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1331730/). In pediatric solid organ transplant recipients, a Children's Oncology Group study demonstrated that LMP-specific T cell therapy could achieve a 70% overall response rate in treating posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), highlighting the potential for targeted immunotherapy in EBV-associated malignancies (ref: Wistinghausen doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2023010832/). Additionally, a large-scale study revealed sex-dependent differences in the clinicopathological characteristics of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma, with EBVaGC showing better prognosis and distinct demographic features compared to EBV-negative gastric cancer (ref: Kim doi.org/10.1007/s10120-023-01460-8/). These studies illustrate the diverse roles of EBV in cancer pathogenesis and the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains a critical concern in immunocompromised populations, particularly following solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A study sequenced CMV samples from pediatric patients, revealing that persistent low-level variants in viral genes were predictive of poor outcomes, emphasizing the need for vigilant monitoring of CMV infections in these vulnerable groups (ref: Venturini doi.org/10.1093/infdis/). Furthermore, a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients receiving letermovir for CMV prophylaxis demonstrated its effectiveness without significant toxicity, marking a significant advancement in CMV management in children (ref: Galaverna doi.org/10.1038/s41409-024-02209-2/). Additionally, research into the immune response to CMV highlighted the role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in managing CMV DNAemia, suggesting that both donor and third-party CMV-specific T cells are comparably effective in treatment (ref: Jiang doi.org/10.1111/bjh.19282/). These findings underscore the importance of understanding CMV dynamics and immune responses to improve patient outcomes.

The effectiveness of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) against herpes zoster (HZ) has been evaluated in various populations, demonstrating substantial protective effects. A real-world study indicated that the vaccine efficacy (VE) after one dose was 64%, increasing to 76% after two doses, with sustained protection observed over several years (ref: Zerbo doi.org/10.7326/M23-2023/). In patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), RZV was associated with a significantly lower risk of HZ, particularly in those with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, suggesting that vaccination can effectively mitigate HZ risk in this high-risk population (ref: Desai doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/). However, a matched cohort study found no association between HZ and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, indicating that while HZ poses certain health risks, its relationship with neurodegenerative diseases may not be as direct as previously thought (ref: Tunnicliffe doi.org/10.1002/mds.29701/). These studies collectively highlight the importance of vaccination in preventing herpes zoster and its complications.

Oncolytic virotherapy, particularly using oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), has shown promise in cancer treatment, but challenges remain in overcoming therapeutic resistance. A study demonstrated that targeting IGF2BP3-induced NETosis in malignant glioma could enhance the efficacy of oncolytic virotherapy, suggesting that understanding tumor microenvironment interactions is crucial for improving treatment outcomes (ref: Dai doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44576-2/). Another study explored the potential of dimethyl fumarate to sensitize cancer cells to oHSV, indicating that combining immunotherapy with virotherapy could broaden the applicability of these treatments (ref: Alwithenani doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1332929/). Additionally, the persistence of natural killer (NK) cells post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been linked to improved immune responses against opportunistic infections, highlighting the importance of immune reconstitution in the context of oncolytic virotherapy (ref: Di Vito doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1266051/). These findings emphasize the need for innovative strategies to enhance the effectiveness of oncolytic virotherapy in cancer treatment.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying herpesvirus pathogenesis is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies. Research on pseudorabies virus (PRV) revealed that it exploits the transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1) to facilitate viral entry, disrupting the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis and potentially impacting female fertility (ref: Su doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011956/). Additionally, the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) LANA protein was shown to prevent the degradation of viral genomic DNA, thereby maintaining latent infection and evading immune detection (ref: Nakajima doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01268-23/). These studies highlight the intricate interactions between herpesviruses and host cellular mechanisms, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets for managing herpesvirus-related diseases.

Advancements in viral diagnostics are crucial for timely and accurate detection of herpesvirus infections. A novel electrochemical biosensor was developed for the rapid detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) antigens, achieving results within 9 minutes at a low manufacturing cost, which could significantly improve accessibility to diagnostics (ref: de Lima doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101513/). Furthermore, a new molecular diagnostic technique combining multiple cross displacement amplification with a nanoparticle-based lateral flow biosensor was introduced for the detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), demonstrating rapid and specific detection capabilities (ref: Jia doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1321394/). These innovations in detection techniques are essential for enhancing the management of herpesvirus infections and improving patient outcomes.

The association between herpesvirus infections and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD), has garnered increasing attention. An integrative multi-omics analysis revealed that herpesvirus infections significantly increase the risk of AD, suggesting that both innate and adaptive immune responses play critical roles in this association (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1007/s12035-023-03903-w/). Additionally, the study of DNA damage response-related immune activation signatures has shown promise in predicting responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors, indicating that understanding the immune landscape in the context of herpesvirus infections may provide insights into therapeutic strategies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases (ref: Yan doi.org/10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2023.0303/). These findings underscore the need for further research into the mechanisms linking herpesvirus infections to neurodegenerative processes.