Interaction between ultraviolet radiation and human papillomavirus.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are small double-stranded DNA viruses that predominantly form hyperproliferative lesions in mucosal and cutaneous epithelial tissues and are strictly epitheliotropic. More than 120 different types have been characterised based on DNA sequence homology [1]. The association between HPV and cervical cancer has been well documented,with 99% of cervical tumours containing HPV DNA [2]. The expression of E6 and E7 proteins of high-risk anogenital types, such as HPV 16 and 18, has been linked with the subsequent degradation of both p53 and pRb, respectively, and the constitutive expression of both viral proteins in anogenital tumours is required to maintain this transformed state [3]. © 2009 Springer US