The known unknowns of HPV natural history

J Clin Invest. 2011 Dec;121(12):4593-9. doi: 10.1172/JCI57149. Epub 2011 Dec 1.

Abstract

The discovery that certain high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) cause nearly 100% of invasive cervical cancer has spurred a revolution in cervical cancer prevention by promoting the development of viral vaccines. Although the efficacy of these vaccines has already been demonstrated, a complete understanding of viral latency and natural immunity is lacking, and solving these mysteries could help guide policies of cervical cancer screening and vaccine use. Here, we examine the epidemiological and biological understanding of the natural history of HPV infection, with an eye toward using these studies to guide the implementation of cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alphapapillomavirus / classification
  • Alphapapillomavirus / immunology
  • Alphapapillomavirus / physiology*
  • Antibodies, Viral / biosynthesis
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / etiology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / prevention & control
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
  • DNA Probes, HPV
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections / immunology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Infections / transmission
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / etiology
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / prevention & control
  • Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / virology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / etiology
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / virology
  • Uterine Cervicitis / diagnosis
  • Uterine Cervicitis / epidemiology
  • Uterine Cervicitis / prevention & control
  • Uterine Cervicitis / virology
  • Vaginal Smears
  • Virus Activation
  • Virus Latency
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA Probes, HPV
  • Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • human papillomavirus vaccine, L1 type 16, 18