HPV REPLICATION IN EXPERIMENTAL-MODELS - EFFECTS OF INTERFERON

Preclinical evaluation of the effectiveness of interferon (IFN) therap y on human papillomaviruses (HPV) has been hampered by the inability t o propagate these viruses in cell culture. Nonetheless, interferon is used extensively in the treatment of HPV infections. Alpha interferons in particular have found a place in the treatment of anogenital disea se, plantar warts; and laryngeal papillomas. While their is significan t clinical evidence to suggest that interferon is useful in therapy of disease, the cellular mechanism(s) (i.e., antiviral, antiproliferativ e, immunomodulatory) by which IFN is able to control HPV-induced patho logy is not well understood. This review focuses on experimental anima l and cell culture models which are currently being used to help ident ify the antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects of I FN on HPV infection.