Therapy Analysis - Human papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that infects the epidermis and mucous membranes in humans. It belongs to the family papillomaviridae, a family of non-enveloped viruses. Papillomaviruses replicate in the basal layer of the surface tissues. The resulting epithelial tumours, or papillomas, have become the defining characteristic of HPV infection.
Over 100 types of HPV have been identified, with conditions varying depending on the strain present. Some strains of HPV infect the hands and feet, causing warts and verrucae. Others are transmitted through sexual contact, and infect the anogenital region, causing genital warts. While HPV-associated papillomas are typically benign, persistent infection with 'high-risk' strains of HPV can cause precancerous lesions, which may progress to invasive tumours. In recent years, HPV has gained notoriety as a causative agent of cervical cancer.
While the cervical Papancicolau (Pap) smear test has reduced the incidence of cervical cancer, this highly invasive cancer still accounts for around 270,000 deaths per year worldwide. Therefore, there is a need for development of pharmacological interventions for the prevention and treatment of HPV infection.
