Therapeutic startegies for human papillomavirus infection and associated cancers

Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2018 Jan 1;10(1):15-73. doi: 10.2741/e808.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to development of cancer of cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, ano-genital and non-genital oro-pharyngeal sites. HPV being a sexually transmitted virus infects both genders equally but with higher chances of pathological outcome in women. In the absence of organized screening programs, women report HPV-infected lesions at relatively advanced stages where they are subjected to standard treatments that are not HPV-specific. HPV infection-driven lesions usually take 10-20 years for malignant progression and are preceded by well-characterized pre-cancer stages. Despite availability of window for pharmacological intervention, therapeutic that could eradicate HPV from infected lesions is currently lacking. A variety of experimental approaches have been made to address this lacuna and there has been significant progress in a number of lead molecules which are in different stages of clinical and pre-clinical development. Present review provides a brief overview of the magnitude of the problem and current status of research on promising lead molecules, formulations and therapeutic strategies that showed potential to translate to clinically-viable HPV therapeutics to counteract this reproductive health challenge.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alphapapillomavirus / genetics
  • Alphapapillomavirus / immunology
  • Female
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / drug therapy
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / therapy*
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / virology
  • Genital Neoplasms, Male / drug therapy
  • Genital Neoplasms, Male / therapy*
  • Genital Neoplasms, Male / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Papillomavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Papillomavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Tumor Virus Infections / drug therapy
  • Tumor Virus Infections / therapy*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / virology

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • RNA, Viral