For example, treatment of colorectal or ovarian cancer cells with DNMT inhibitors (DNMTis) results in induction of transcription from otherwise suppressed ERVs, the subsequent formation of dsRNA from specific ERV elements, recognition of these dsRNA molecules by MDA5/TLR3 sensors, activation of the mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS)-IRF7 axis and induction of IFN. The gene discussed is MAVS; the disease is ovarian cancer.