Current advances in the basic research and clinical management of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis

Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a relatively uncommo n disease that presents clinically with symptoms ranging from hoarseness to severe dyspnea, Human papilloma viruses type 6 and 11 are important in the etiology of the papillomata and are most probably transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Although spontaneous remission is frequent, a r are fatal course because of pulmonary spr ead or malignant transformation h as occurred. CO2 laser evaporation of papillomas and adjuvant drug therapy using lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon are the most common treatment modalit ies at present. However, several other treatment modalities have been tried with varying success. Recent advances in basic research and different ther apeutic approaches are reviewed.