Biology and Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus-Related Head and Neck Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is now established as a major causative agent for development of the head and neck cancers. HPV-initiated tumors of the oropharynx have better survival rates than HPV-negative cancers, and this appears likely to be associated with differences in the biology underlying these two diseases. We will discuss the role of HPV-encoded proteins in host infection and carcinogenesis; will review the emerging biology of intratypic variants of HPV, with numerous variants possessing different potential for malignancy; and will suggest areas for the further study. Finally, we will highlight global trends in HPV-associated oropharyngeal head and neck cancer incidence and prevalence rates, with recent data showing a dramatic increase of infection worldwide and differing infection rates in developed and developing nations.