Epidemiology and biology of cervical cancer

Abstract

Worldwide, cancer of the cervix is the second leading cause of cancer death in women: each year, an estimated 500,000 cases are newly diagnosed. Among populations, there are large differences in incidence rates of invasive cervical cancer: these reflect the influence of environmental factors, screening Papanicolaou (Pap) tests, and treatment of pre‐invasive lesions. The high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33, and 51 have been recovered from more than 95% of cervical cancers. We have made great strides in understanding the molecular mechanism of oncogenesis of this virus, focusing on the action of the E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins. These oncoproteins function by inactivating cell cycle regulators p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb), thus providing the initial event in progression to malignancy. Cervical cancers develop from precursor lesions, which are termed squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and are graded as high or low, depending on the degree of disruption of epithelial differentiation. Viral production occurs in low‐grade lesions and is restricted to basal cells. In carcinomas, viral DNA is found integrated into the host genome, but no viral production is seen. The well‐defined pre‐invasive stages, as well as the viral factors involved at the molecular level, make cervical carcinoma a good model for investigating immune therapeutic alternatives or adjuvants to standard treatments. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 16:203–211, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

KCl Cotransport Is an Important Modulator of Human Cervical Cancer Growth and Invasion

“…Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women worldwide, accounting for 15% of all female cancers (1). The incidence of invasive cervical cancer varies considerably in different populations, reflecting the influence of variations in environmental factors, Pap smear surveillance, and the treatment of pre-invasive lesions.…”

Loss of expression, and mutations of Smad 2 and Smad 4 in human cervical cancer

“…Cervical cancer causes about 250 000 deaths annually worldwide, with women in the developing countries accounting for 80% of these deaths (Schoell et al, 1999;Cain and Howett, 2000). Although HPV infection is the major risk factor for cervical cancer, molecular alterations of tumor-suppressor genes and/or oncogenes either associated with HPV infection or independent of it are necessary for the cervical cancer progression (zur Hausen, 1996).…”

Clinical implications of insulin-like growth factor 1 system in early-stage cervical cancer

“…Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer among women worldwide (Schoell et al, 1999). An estimated 500 000 cases are newly diagnosed and nearly 200 000 deaths are attributable to the disease in the world annually.…”