Human papillomavirus (HPV) replication occurs in terminally differentiating epithelium, and requires the activation of cellular DNA replication proteins. Unscheduled DNA replication can result in the induction of apoptosis, and the viral E6 protein induces the degradation of p53 to prevent this. It has recently been shown that HPV-18 E6 can also stimulate the degradation of Bak, a pro-apoptotic...

There is strong circumstantial evidence that human papillomavirus is a cofactor in the development of cervical neoplasia. Systemic immunosuppression has also been implicated. A study was therefore carried out examining the relation between subtypes of human papillomavirus and local immunocompetent cells in the cervix. Colposcopically directed punch biopsy specimens were taken from normal cervix...

The persistent infection by human papilloma virus (HPV) is considered to be the major risk factor of cervical cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide. Millions of women are currently infected with high-risk HPV. Thus, it is urgent to develop therapeutic vaccines to eliminate established infection or HPV-related diseases. In the present study, we constructed a very pro...

OBJECTIVE To assess the immunogenicity and safety of human papillomavirus-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted cervical cancer vaccine in Chinese women aged 18 to 35 years enrolled from Hong Kong. DESIGN Double-blind, randomised controlled trial with vaccine and placebo groups. SETTING Single-centre study in Hong Kong. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred women enrolled (150 per group) between March 2006 and June...

The usefulness of mouthwash as a transport medium for cervical specimens for carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has not been evaluated. Two cervical specimens were collected from each of 34 patients, with one placed in mouthwash (Scope, Proctor and Gamble, Inc.) and the other in a liquid cytology medium commonly used for HPV DNA testing in alternating order. Paired specimens we...