Role of human papillomavirus in the carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease, with more than 80% of the population infected at some time in their life. In rare cases, this infection may lead to cervical cancer. Virtually all squamous cell carcinomas and the overwhelming majority of adenocarcinomas of the cervix are HPV positive. HPV integration in the genome will lead to inactivation of the p53 pathway and the Rb pathway. Integration is essential for the onset of cervical carcinogenesis, but is probably not sufficient for progression to invasive cervical cancers. It is likely that several cofactors, such as environmental, viral and host-related factors, are necessary for the development of cervical cancer. There are several similarities and differences between the two major histological types. This article will address the role of HPV in cervical carcinogenesis as well as the molecular biology involved in the process.