5th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections Chicago, IL - February 1-5, 1998

Conf Retroviruses Opportunistic Infect 1998 Feb 1-5; 5th:230 (abstract no. S8)

Lowy DR, Schiller JT; Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Division of Basic Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD.

There is now compelling evidence that the sexual transmission of certain high-risk HPV types is the primary cause of cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer of women worldwide. However, the vast majority of infected women have a benign outcome from this infection. This observation implies that while HPV infection may be necessary, it is not sufficient for the development of malignancy. In addition to the HPV type or sub-type itself, increased risk of progression to severe dysplasia or invasive cancer is associated with long-term, high level cervical infection. Persistent infection is much more likely to occur in individuals with depressed cellular immune function, such as long-term renal allograft recipients or patients with AIDS. Increased rates of progression to severe dysplasia have been noted in HIV infected individuals, with lower CD4 levels being associated with greater risk. Although HIV infection is sometimes first diagnosed when a patient presents with cervical cancer, epidemiologic studies have not yet shown an increase in this tumor in HIV infected women, perhaps because of therapeutic intervention or the long latency period to malignancy. HIV positive individuals are, however, at increased risk of developing anal cancer. These cancers also contain the high-risk HPV types implicated in cervical cancer. Immunoprophylactic vaccine prospects for HPV will also be discussed.

1998-02-01
S8

Copyright © 1998 - Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Foundation for Retrovirology and Human Health. Licensed from National Library of Medicine.