Human Papillomaviruses

Evaluates the carcinogenic risk to humans posed by infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs). To date, more than 70 HPV types have been identified, of which over 15 have been reported in cervical cancer biopsies. Although investigations of cervical cancer are most abundant, the report also considers the possible involvement of HPV infection in cancers at other sites, including the vulva, anus, skin, and aerodigestive tract. The first part summarizes what is known about the structure and molecular biology of papillomaviruses, and the epidemiology, pathology, and clinical management of HPV infections, including prospects for vaccine development. The main part evaluates the vast body of epidemiological studies investigating whether infection with HPV causes cervical cancer and cancers at several other cites. Findings from over 100 epidemiological case-control and cohort studies were considered. Evidence reviewed includes epidemiological studies conducted in the general population, studies of HPV and cancer conducted in special populations, including transplant patients and HIV-infected persons, and studies of skin cancer in patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. The studies provide compelling epidemiological evidence that some HPV types are human carcinogens, with HPVs detected in over 90% of all invasive cervical cancers. Part three cites experimental data supporting the carcinogenicity of specific HPV genotypes and elucidating the mechanisms by which HPV exerts its carcinogenic effects. The final part gives a summary and evaluation of all the available data. The report concludes that HPV types 16 and 18 are carcinogenic to humans. The report further concludes that HPV types 31 and 33 are probably carcinogenic to humans, and that some HPV types other than 16, 18, 31 and 33 are possibly carcinogenic to humans.