The interaction of human papillomaviruses and adeno-associated viruses in suppressive co-infections

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common oncogenic viruses which cause malignancy in different epithelial surfaces of the human body and its infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. However, research suggests that this virus might not be the sole cause of infection in target cells. It is believed that, other infectious agents could co-infect the same cell with HPV including; bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which may have different effects on the carcinogenesis of HPV infections. One of the most important viruses is adeno-associated virus (AAV), which comes from the parvoviridae family. The function of this virus is associated with several stages of HPV carcinogenicity, which leads to the suppression of HPV oncogenesis. The inhibition effects of AAV are exerted not only in viral parts but also in cellular parts. This suppression illuminates a new therapeutic approach in the way of HPV-associated cervical cancer. In the present review we consider the exact roles of AAV infection in this suppression.