Biology of human papillomavirus infection and immune therapy for HPV-related head and neck cancers.
This article outlines the biology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of human mucosa and the cellular pathways that are altered through viral infection. The article provides a conceptual framework with which to understand the 2 major immunologic strategies to address HPV-related diseases: (1) prevention of primary HPV infection through the use of prophylactic vaccines and (2) treatment of established infection and diseases through therapeutic vaccines. Nonimmunologic therapy that targets cellular dysregulation induced by HPV infection is also discussed. The challenges in actualizing these conceptually attractive therapies on both a societal and biological level are examined.
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 601 North Caroline Street, JHOC 6th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Simon R
SR
Best
Kevin J
KJ
Niparko
Sara I
SI
Pai
D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D019444:Vaccines, DNA / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines; D019444:Vaccines, DNA