Human Papillomavirus Infection in Cervical Carcinogenesis and Emerging Therapies
O Devaja,1 AJ Papadopoulos,2 J Cason,3 KS Raju1
1Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
2Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, St Georges Hospital, London, UK
3The Richard Dimbleby Laboratory of Cancer Virology, United Medical Dental School (UMDS), Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
Summary
Cervical cancer is the second most common female malignancy in the world. There is strong epidemiological evidence to suggest that HPV infection of the cervix, most commonly by types 16 and 18, plays an important role in the development of precancerous and cancerous lesions. Increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HPV infection has led to the identification of possible targets for prophylactic and therapeutic intervention. Results of ongoing clinical studies evaluating these new strategies (HPV vaccines) are eagerly anticipated.
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