The role of human papillomaviruses in cancer: Evidence to date

Abstract

The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated in the development of an estimated 10% of cancers worldwide. Both epidemiologic and molecular evidence have conclusively demonstrated that oncogenic HPV is the central causal agent of cervical cancer and of a substantial proportion of many other anogenital neoplasms. In fact, it is believed that HPV is the necessary cause of cervical cancer, which has implications for the prevention, screening, and treatment of this disease, especially for its precursor lesions. This has led to the possibility of using HPV DNA testing in screening and as a method of triaging abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) tests. Research into the development of vaccines is also currently very active. HPV has been implicated in the genesis of several other cancers, such as oral and non-melanoma skin malignancies. However, research is yet to provide a consistent body of unequivocal evidence for a causal role that could lead to public health policy. © 2005 Adis Data Information BV. All rights reserved.