Severe COVID-19 and Influenza Hospitalizations Linked to Elevated Lung Cancer Risk in New UVA Study

UVA Health study finds hospitalized COVID-19 and flu patients face a higher lung cancer risk due to immune changes. Vaccination helps prevent lung damage.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 5:26 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from University of Virginia Health System

Viral Pathogens and the Oncogenic Environment

New clinical evidence suggests that the impact of severe respiratory viruses extends far beyond the initial recovery phase, potentially altering the biological landscape of the lungs to favor malignancy. Scientists at UVA Health’s Beirne B. Carter Center for Immunology Research have identified a mechanism where significant viral trauma creates a persistent state of inflammation. This environment, characterized by "immune scarring," appears to lower the threshold for cancer to take hold, effectively acting as a catalyst for tumor progression months or even years after the acute illness has resolved.

Statistical Correlation Between Hospitalization and Malignancy

The research team, led by Jie Sun, PhD, utilized a combination of laboratory models and human patient data to quantify the long-term risks associated with severe pneumonia. Their analysis revealed a 1.24-fold increase in lung cancer diagnoses among individuals who required hospitalization for COVID-19. Notably, this elevated risk persisted regardless of a patient's smoking history or other underlying medical comorbidities, suggesting that the viral infection itself serves as an independent risk factor for lung cancer. In contrast, those who experienced only mild infections showed no such increase, emphasizing the role of disease severity in tissue transformation.

Immune Cell Reprogramming and Pro Tumor Behavior

The study identifies specific shifts in the behavior of neutrophils and macrophages, the primary immune defenders of the respiratory system, as the cause for this increased risk. Following a severe infection, these cells can enter a "pro-tumor" state, where instead of patrolling for threats, they contribute to a chronic inflammatory milieu that supports cancer growth. Furthermore, significant changes were observed in the epithelial cells lining the air sacs, indicating that the very architecture of the lung undergoes a fundamental shift during severe viral attacks, making the organ more susceptible to oncogenic triggers.