Wiley-Blackwell Papillomaviruses (Novartis Foundation Symposia)

Papillomaviruses cause benign papillomas in humans and other mammals, but concern about their association with certain malignant lesions and appreciation of their heterogeneity (over 30 different types exist) have recently heightened interest in the genus. This multidisciplinary symposium volume brings together new research on molecular biological, physiological and clinical aspects of papillomaviruses, focusing on the virus - host interaction and the links between genomic organization and the pathological consequences of infection. The book starts with discussion of the classification and molecular genetics of papillomaviruses, with emphasis on transcriptional control, transforming functions and plasmid replication. The in vitro studies described provide clues to how benign papillomavirus-associated lesions might progress to malignancy. The nature and range of papillomavirus-associated diseases are then explored by reference to diverse lesions, from skin warts and laryngeal papillomatosis to epidermodysplasia verruciformis, bovine carcinomas of the bladder and alimentary tract and human cervical carcinoma. The potential of both vaccines and interferon in preventing or treating such disorders is also assessed. It is stressed throughout that problems remain in establishing the oncogenicity of papillomaviruses and evaluating the possible roles of cocarcinogens and immunosuppression, and that despite improved methods for diagnosing infection there is still much to be learnt about the natural history of the viruses. Synopsis Papillomaviruses cause benign papillomas in humans and other mammals, but concern about their association with certain malignant lesions and appreciation of their heterogeneity (over 30 different types exist) have recently heightened interest in the genus. This multidisciplinary symposium volume brings together new research on molecular biological, physiological and clinical aspects of papillomaviruses, focusing on the virus - host interaction and the links between genomic organization and the pathological consequences of infection. The book starts with discussion of the classification and molecular genetics of papillomaviruses, with emphasis on transcriptional control, transforming functions and plasmid replication. The in vitro studies described provide clues to how benign papillomavirus-associated lesions might progress to malignancy. The nature and range of papillomavirus-associated diseases are then explored by reference to diverse lesions, from skin warts and laryngeal papillomatosis to epidermodysplasia verruciformis, bovine carcinomas of the bladder and alimentary tract and human cervical carcinoma. The potential of both vaccines and interferon in preventing or treating such disorders is also assessed. It is stressed throughout that problems remain in establishing the oncogenicity of papillomaviruses and evaluating the possible roles of cocarcinogens and immunosuppression, and that despite improved methods for diagnosing infection there is still much to be learnt about the natural history of the viruses.