PROPHYLACTIC AND THERAPEUTIC VACCINES AGAINST HPV AND ASSOCIATED CANCERS

Human papillomavirus and induction of cervical cancer has been proved since 1974, but the suspicion of transient idiopathic infertility induction attributed to HPV has recently been addressed. In the 1920s, the first observations appeared that associated skin warts or mucosal lesions with an infectious agent, but there is recognition that the HPV virus is the main etiological factor of cervical neoplasia that began in the 1970s. In 1933, the first Papillomavirus was found in lesions and warts in rabbits, confirming the suspected infectious etiology of lesions and warts in animal species. There is a clear need for a more effective combat against the virus, which has periodically been correlated with new diseases that indiscriminately affect men, women, and children of all social classes. Recent technological advances have contributed to the improvement of experimental work tools, providing scientists with new horizons to be explored in the development of new products, free from serious side effects, due to genetic manipulation in the construction of expression vectors directed to therapeutic targets of interest. This book presents a review of the scientific literature to tell readers some of the natural history about HPV and the advances in terms of prophylaxis and minimally invasive therapy, aiming to eradicate the virus and treat infected patients, who developed cancer induced by HPV.