Current Perspectives in Human Papilloma Virus: Where We are and What We Need? (original) (raw)

Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal

It is now well-established that Human Papilloma Viruses (HPV) are responsible for causing >90% of cervical cancers. Existing evidences have also demonstrated a key role for HPV in a portion of Head and Neck cancers as well as carcinomas of Vulva, Vagina, Penis and Anus. Therefore studies aiming at developing highly sensitive diagnostic methods have become high-priority in the recent years. To date, an estimated 202 types of HPV have been identified, of which only a small percentage viruses are involved in carcinogenesis. Among the carcinogenic HPV, the most predominant ones are HPV 16 and HPV 18. The other high risk types are 31, 33, 34, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, and 70. In general, HPV is detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hybrid capture (HC) methods. However, the existing PCR methods specifically identify only HPV 16 and HPV 18, but not the other types. More over, the PCR protocols are known for errors, and are not suitable for on-field screening proc...