Human Papillomaviruses: Benign and Malignant Disease

Abstract

Papillomaviruses are extremely widespread, small, nonenveloped, icosahedral, species-specific, double-stranded DNA epitheliotropic viruses, which include human papillomaviruses (HPVs) only infecting humans. HPVs establish chronic epithelial infections, with various genotypes associated with infection at specific anatomic sites. Of greatest importance are oncogenic (“high risk” [HR]) HPVs, the etiological agent of many upper and lower genital tract neoplasias, especially cervical, as well as a sizeable proportion of oropharyngeal carcinomas. HPV-6/11 causes most genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. In clinical trials and/or in real-world settings, prophylactic HPV vaccines ..