[Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer]

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are double stranded DNA viruses. To date, over 100 genotypes have been identified. Oncogenic types of HPV, including types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59 and 68, are commonly associated with cervical cancer, with HPV16 being the most frequently detected genotype in women with cervical cancer worldwide. Genital HPV infections are common among young sexually active women and usually transient. Only a small fraction of infected women develop cervical cancer, implying the involvement of environmental and genetic cofactors in cervical carcinogenesis. The epidemiology of HPV infections and current advances on HPV vaccines will be reviewed here.