The association of herpesvirus type 2 infection and cervical cancer
Adam, E.; Rawls, W.E.; Melnick, J.L.
Preventive Medicine 3(1): 122-141
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0091-7435 PMID: 4360935 DOI: 10.1016/0091-7435(74)90068-1Document Number: 518924
There is an association between cancers of the uterine cervix and herpesvirus type 2 which is venereally transmitted Evidence for the possible etiological role of the virus in the formation of the neoplasm is reviewed While most retrospective case-control studies have demonstrated a greater occurrence of antibodies to the virus among cases than among controls, the difference has not been observed in all geographic areas Possible explanations for the geographic differences are discussed relative to the accuracy of detecting past infections with the virus by the presently available serologic methods, the influence of different socioeconomic conditions and sexual mores on antibodies to the virus, and the possible existence of strain differences The data available indicate that women with neoplastic disease of the cervix are infected earlier in life than control women In addition, the increased occurrence of antibodies and the presence of cervical cancer are not simply covariables of sexual promiscuity. Herpesvirus type 2 has been demonstrated to have oncogenic potential in in vitro experiments and evidence for the presence of herpesvirus genetic information in the cancer tissues has been reported Thus, both laboratory and epidemiologic studies have provided data which strongly suggest an etiologic relation between cervical neoplasia and herpesvirus type 2Additional studies of a prospective nature would be most helpful in assessing the risk of developing cervical cancer which is associated with infection by the virus Such information would also be useful in determining the possible usefulness of a putative vaccine.