PAPILLOMA VIRUSES AS CANCER PATHOGENS

This review article describes the history and the present state of Hum anpapilloma Virus (HPV) research. Considerable progress in this field has been achieved during recent years due to methodological advances i n molecular biology. Based on experimental and clinical data it can be assumed that local HPV infection play a causal role in carcinogenesis . This applies in particular to cervical cancer. The International Age ncy for Research on Cancer declared HPV16 and HPV18 as carcinogenic to humans in 1995. Interactions of viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 with tum orsuppressor proteins p53 and pR6 provide a better understanding of tu mor formation and tumor growth. Evidence is provided that viral oncopr oteins stimulated the expression of various cytokines such as cycline E and A, c-fos and c-jun. Chemical carcinogenes and viral infections p romote synergistically tumor development and growth in experimental se ttings. Present and future research is directed towards development of suitable vaccines and finally their clinical application.