Prevention of head and neck cancer due to human papillomavirus

Prevention of head and neck cancer due to human papillomavirus refers to prophylactic immunization to avert malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract—predominantly squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, including the tonsils and base of the tongue—caused by persistent mucosal infection with oncogenic, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, most frequently HPV-16 This preventive indication targets eligible pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations, commonly recommended starti...

Prevention of head and neck cancer due to human papillomavirus refers to prophylactic immunization to avert malignancies of the upper aerodigestive tract—predominantly squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx, including the tonsils and base of the tongue—caused by persistent mucosal infection with oncogenic, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, most frequently HPV-16

This preventive indication targets eligible pediatric, adolescent, and adult populations, commonly recommended starting at age 9, prior to or during periods of potential viral exposure

Pathophysiologically, high-risk HPV infects the stratified mucosal epithelium, where sustained expression of viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 leads to the functional inactivation of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb), driving dysregulated cell-cycle progression, genomic instability, and eventual malignant transformation Prophylactic intervention induces neutralizing antibodies against viral capsid antigens, preventing initial infection and subsequent persistent viral inte...

Pathophysiologically, high-risk HPV infects the stratified mucosal epithelium, where sustained expression of viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 leads to the functional inactivation of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb), driving dysregulated cell-cycle progression, genomic instability, and eventual malignant transformation

Prophylactic intervention induces neutralizing antibodies against viral capsid antigens, preventing initial infection and subsequent persistent viral integration