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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
06:57
Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization as a Tool for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer Diagnosis
Published on: June 14, 2019
Diseases caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV)
Alessandra Handisurya1, Christina Schellenbacher, Reinhard Kirnbauer
1Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria. alessandra.handisurya@meduniwien.ac.at
Summary
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are common viruses that cause warts and cancers. Prophylactic vaccines effectively prevent infections with high-risk HPV types and associated lesions.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are non-enveloped DNA viruses infecting squamous epithelia.
- Over 100 HPV types exist, causing benign papillomas or warts.
- High-risk HPV types are linked to cervical, anal, and other cancers; beta-HPV types are associated with skin cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the characteristics of human papillomaviruses.
- To outline the role of HPV in various cancers.
- To review the efficacy of current prophylactic HPV vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HPV virology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for HPV vaccines.
- Summary of current knowledge on HPV-related diseases and prevention.
Main Results:
- HPV infections are widespread, with specific types causing significant cancer burdens.
- Persistent infection with high-risk HPV is a primary cause of cervical and other cancers.
- Licensed prophylactic HPV vaccines, based on virus-like particles (VLPs), demonstrate high efficacy.
Conclusions:
- HPV infections represent a major global health challenge, necessitating effective prevention strategies.
- Prophylactic HPV vaccines are highly effective in preventing infections and associated precancerous lesions.
- Continued research into HPV pathogenesis and vaccine development is crucial for cancer control.
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