The role of human papilloma virus (HPV) in the aetiology of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers of the female anogenital tract and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The association of HPV and cervical cancer was first suggested by zur Hausen in 1976.1 It is now believed that 94-100% of cervical cancers as well as tumours of the penis, anus, vagina, and vulva are associated with sexually transmitted genital infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV).2,3 There are at least 118 fully described forms of the papillomavirus which structurally consists of double-stranded circular DNA surrounded by a viral capsid protein.4 Here we review how the genes of specific HPV serotypes interact with host cell DNA and protein to produce cervical epithelial dysplasia. This can then progress to invasive cancer in conjunction with other cofactors like oral contraceptives, increasing parity, smoking and Chlamydia infection.