Although papillomavirus infections are not very immunogenic there is eviden
ce that the immune system controls the spread of virus and the development
of diseases associated with such infections. Certain types of human papillo
maviruses (HPV) are the major cause of premalignant and malignant diseases
of the anogenital tract, most notably cancer of the uterine cervix, a major
health care problem worldwide. Since the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 are
constitutively expressed within the tumor cells, they are considered as sui
table targets for attack by T lymphocytes. Several approaches to specifical
ly trigger a cell-mediated immune response have been successful in experime
ntal animals, leading to suppression of HPV-induced tumors. First clinical
trials have been completed which raise hopes that a similar effect can also
be achieved by therapeutic vaccination of humans. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Ka
rger AG, Basel.