Human papillomavirus molecular biology and pathogenesis

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world and accounts for an estimated 11% of the global cancer incidence in women. HPV-16 is the most prevalent type detected in cervical cancer and along with types 18, 31, 33 and 45 has been classified as a class I carcinogen. In addition to cervical cancer, HPVs are also associated with the malignant transformation of other mucosal and skin cancers. Thus, the combination of the malignant potential of HPV and its high prevalence of infection confers to it an importance of generalized clinical and virological significance. The natural history of HPV infection with or without treatment varies from spontaneous regression to persistence. The most important mechanism for wart regression appears to be cell-mediated immunity. Cytokines released by keratinocytes or cells of the immune system may play a part in the induction of an effective immune response against HPV infection and the subsequent regression of lesions. This review discusses the molecular biology, pathogenesis and immunology of HPV infections.

Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Type Distribution in Male Anogenital Sites and Semen

“…Although infection is most often asymptomatic and transient, oncogenic genotypes of HPV are strongly associated with development of cervical cancer and are associated with other anogenital cancers in both men and women to varying degrees (4). Nononcogenic HPV types cause genital warts and other benign lesions (5).…”

Biologia molecular do câncer cervical

“…9 são as chaves para o sucesso de novas estratégias para combater o câncer cervical. No Brasil, como de resto, nos países emergentes, só se faz prevenção oportunística, que, infelizmente, não altera a curva de mortalidade.…”

Detection and Typing of Human Papillomavirus in Cutaneous Common Warts by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

“…'High-risk' HPV types have been implicated in the development of intraepithelial lesions and cervical cancer [17]. The high-risk types include HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, and -45, while the low-risk types are HPV-6 and HPV-11 [14].…”