Prevention of carcinoma of cervix with human papillomavirus vaccine.
BACKGROUND
Carcinoma of cervix is the most common cancer found among the women of India. Though cervical cytology screening was effective in preventing carcinoma of cervix in developed nations, it is considered unsuitable in developing countries. Recent research has established an etiological link between human papillomavirus infection and carcinoma of cervix. In this review, an attempt is made to answer the question, 'whether carcinoma of cervix can be prevented with human papillomavirus vaccine?'


METHODS
Literature search using Pubmed and Medline was carried out and relevant articles were reviewed.


RESULTS
There is ample experimental evidence to show that DNA of human papillomavirus integrates with cervical cell genome. Viral genes E6 and E7 of HPV type 16 and 18 inactivate p53 function and Rb gene, thus immortalize the cervical epithelial cells. Recombinant vaccines blocked the function of E6 and E7 genes preventing development of papillomas in animals. Vaccination with HPV-VLPs encoding for genes of E6 and E7 neutralizes HPV integrated genome of malignant cells of uterine cervix.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on experimental evidence, it is possible to prevent carcinoma of cervix with human papillomavirus vaccine,


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is necessary to identify a effective and safe HPV vaccine, routes of administration and characteristics of potential beneficiaries.
Gavarasana
S
S
Department of Surgery, Brockton Hospital, MA 02402, USA.
Kalasapudi
R S
RS
Rao
T D
TD
Thirumala
S
S
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D004279:DNA, Viral; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D014765:Viral Vaccines