Human papillomavirus and upper respiratory diseases: head and neck cancer and respiratory papillomatosis

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are epitheliotropic viruses that affect the cutaneous and mucosal epithelium of the genitals and oral cavity. High-risk HPV (HPV type 16, 18, etc.) infection induces the development of cervical cancer, anogenital carcinomas, and a large proportion of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Low-risk HPVs, mainly HPV types 6 and 11, cause benign lesions, such as exophytic condyloma of the anogenital tract, as well as inverted papilloma of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, laryngeal papillomatosis, which also have the potential for malignant transformation in a long-term recurrent course. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is the main histological subtype of head and neck cancer and one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. The main risk factors for the development of head and neck cancer are alcohol and tobacco consumption, as well as high-risk HPV infection. In recent decades, there has been a downward trend in the incidence of the HNSCC associated with smoking, but an increase in HPV-induced tumors in younger adults. Despite significant advances in diagnostics and modern clinical oncology, head and neck cancer mortality has not declined for several decades. One of the effective methods of combating viral infection is vaccine prevention. Currently available vaccines against HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, and other high-risk HPVs are widely used to prevent HPV-associated malignant and benign lesions according to the registered indications for use in both males and females.

Keywords: human papillomaviruses, head and neck cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, respiratory papillomatosis, prophylactic vaccination

Conflicts of interest. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Funding. There was no funding for this study