HPV Cervical Cancer

The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that the role of inflammation in the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and disease is complex (Boccardo, Lepique, Villa, 2010). This is because it involves responses that have the ability to prevent initial infections and clear ongoing lesions. The process to avoid the immune response is the crucial point in HPV resistance as that’s what leads to HPV-related Neoplasia (NIH). Trimble (2007) reports that sexually transmitted HPV is one of the leading cause of cervical cancer and still remains the second major cause of death among women globally. The report also highlights that in 25% of the women the immune system actually rejects or heals the HPV virus when it begins. The 75% who do not ‘self heal’ the virus by recognition through the immune system T-cells are inhibited into pre-cancerous lesions. Castle et al. (2001) study worked with women less than 50 years who had been infected with HPV virus or who had experienced high grade lesions. The results suggest that ‘cervical inflammation may be associated with high-grade lesions and may be a cofactor for high-grade cervical lesions in women infected with oncogenic HPV’.

Suggests that the vaccine’ AS04-adjuvanted HPV prophylactic vaccine’ with a new adjustment system has shown to improve the natural immune responses to the HPV virus. Though there is still some debate that exists, but the use of vaccine at an appropriate age maybe an effective strategy to improve immunity against HPV. Another strategy could be DNA testing as research has shown that it’s a great tool in cervical cancer screening (Anhang, Goodman, Goldie, 2004). The three strategies that could help enhance the immunity system more active in HPV patients would include: first, education on the link between sexual activity in women and HPV, second, literacy of parents about HPV vaccine leading to their acceptance of the method for their adolescent girls and third, psychological conditioning of young people about the risks and prevention of the disease.

References

Anhang, R., Goodman, A., & Goldie, S. J. (2004). HPV communication: review of existing research and recommendations for patient education. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 54(5), 248-259.

Boccardo, E., Lepique, A. P., & Villa, L. L. (2010). The role of inflammation in HPV carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis, 31(11), 1905-1912.

Castle, P. E., Hillier, S. L., Rabe, L. K., Hildesheim, A., Herrero, R., Bratti, M. C. & Schiffman, M. (2001). An association of cervical inflammation with high-grade cervical neoplasia in women infected with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 10(10), 1021-1027.

The Dana Foundation. (n. d.). Immune conditioning in premalignant HPV disease. Retrieved fromhttp://www.dana.org/grants/human/detail.aspx?id=8820