Probing how HPV increases the risk of cancer.

The human papilloma virus (HPV) has recently come to national attention with the advent of the HPV vaccine, which is now in use both in the U.S. and abroad. Although the vaccine has largely been marketed as a means of preventing cervical cancer, some strains of HPV are also associated with an increased risk of mouth cancer. The HPV16 strain is linked with both cancers, and a recent study from the University of Manchester has revealed a key step in the cancer formation process.  Cells containing the HPV E6 protein showed increased activity of Cdc42, a protein involved in regulation of cell division and one that is often found at high levels in cancer cells.