Papillomaviruses: HPV as the etiological factor of head and neck cancers

The HPV virus, belonging to papillomaviruses, causes genital, lung, head and neck cancers. It is currently estimated that there are 190 types of HPV. Over 700 million people worldwide are infected with the virus. In the United States, 14 million new infections occur every year. The most common HPV types responsible for carcinogenesis of head and neck areas are types 16 and 18. The virus infects human epithelial cells, for example during a sexual intercourse. Transmission from mother to child during birth is also possible. There is evidence linking HPV with laryngeal cancer, leukoplakia, tonsil cancer or Bowen’s disease. HPV vaccines are available to help prevent infection by certain types of the virus, e.g. 9-valent HPV vaccine called Gardasil-9.

1. Introduction. 2. Structure of HPV. 3. Taxonomy. 4. Infection. 5. Pathogenicity. 6. Treatment. 7. Vaccines. 8. Summary