Types of HPV and Their Relationship to Cervical Cancer

• Close Relationship Between HPV and Cervical Cancer
• How HPV is Transmitted
• Various Symptoms of HPV Infection to Watch Out For
• Prevention and Treatment of Cervical Cancer Due to HPV

When you hear the term “HPV,” you might immediately think of cervical cancer. HPV, which stands for human papillomavirus, is a type of virus that can infect the skin or mucous membranes of the body. On the skin, this virus typically affects the hands and feet, while in mucosal areas, it commonly targets the lining of the mouth, throat, respiratory tract, and anogenital region. 

Due to its ability to infect the anogenital area, HPV has been identified as a leading cause of cervical cancer. This was confirmed by the successful identification of HPV types 16 and 18 in cervical cancer tissue samples in 1983 and 1984.

Close Relationship Between HPV and Cervical Cancer

HPV consists of various types, each associated with different clinical manifestations, ranging from benign lesions to cervical cancer. The most common HPV types found in malignant cervical cancer cases are HPV 16, HPV 18, HPV 31, and HPV 45. The correlation between HPV and cervical cancer is even stronger than the link between smoking and lung cancer, with HPV being present in 99.7% of cervical cancer cases.

How HPV is Transmitted

The transmission of HPV can occur through skin contact, sexual intercourse, and shared use of contaminated clothing. Regarding genital infections, this virus is more likely to affect women, particularly those who are sexually active during puberty or experiencing their first pregnancy between the ages of 18 and 30. This is due to the high level of metaplastic activity in the cervical lining during this period. 

However, women aged 35 and older are not exempt from HPV infection, as the virus may have been acquired earlier in life but progressed slowly over time. Several factors can increase the risk of HPV infection developing into cervical cancer or other cervical diseases, including organ transplantation, a history of immunodeficiency diseases, long-term use of oral contraceptives, smoking, multiple pregnancies (parity), and co-infection with other viruses that interact with HPV.

Various Symptoms of HPV Infection to Watch Out For

Sexual transmission of HPV generally leads to three clinical manifestations. First, the virus can cause genital warts. Second, it can result in a latent infection, which presents no symptoms. These first two manifestations are typically caused by HPV types 6 and 11. Third, the virus can lead to an active infection with severe lesions, which may progress to cervical cancer. This severe condition is usually associated with HPV types 16 and 18.

Prevention and Treatment of Cervical Cancer Due to HPV

Currently, both treatment and prevention strategies are available for cervical cancer caused by HPV infection. Prevention is primarily achieved through HPV vaccination, which induces an immune response against HPV. The antibody levels generated after vaccination are, on average, ten times higher than those produced following natural infection. 

If HPV vaccination is implemented globally, it is estimated that over 300,000 cases of cervical cancer per year could be prevented. If cervical cancer due to HPV infection has already developed, treatment options include molecular therapy, which targets the reduction of E6/E7 oncogene expression. Additionally, chemotherapy using drugs such as 2-Deoxyglucose can be employed to inhibit HPV DNA transcription.

Protect yourself from the risk of cervical cancer due to HPV infection. Get vaccinated immediately and consult your health with a trusted medical professional. Look forward to other informative articles about health and research only here!

Author: Devira
Editor: Sabilla Reza

References :

Okunade, K. S. (2020). Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. In Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Vol. 40, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2019.1634030.

Zur Hausen, H. (2002). Papillomaviruses and cancer: From basic studies to clinical application. In Nature Reviews Cancer (Vol. 2, Issue 5). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc798.