The Role of Human Papillomaviruses in the Aetiopathogenesis of Head and Neck Cancer in South Asia, and Approaches to Treatment

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Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Johnson, Newell
McMillan, Nigel
Year published
2017
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Malignancies of the upper aero-digestive tract are a major public health problem, especially in South Asia. The major risk factors in South Asia remain smoked/smokeless tobacco, areca nut, alcohol abuse and poor diet, with limited evidence for human papillomavirus (HPV). Although HPV-associated head and neck
squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is well documented in the western world, studies on South Asian populations are few and inconsistent. However, the incidence of HPV-associated head and neck cancer (HNC) has increased in recent years. Certain high-risk types of HPV infection are regarded as well-established risk factors ...
View more >Malignancies of the upper aero-digestive tract are a major public health problem, especially in South Asia. The major risk factors in South Asia remain smoked/smokeless tobacco, areca nut, alcohol abuse and poor diet, with limited evidence for human papillomavirus (HPV). Although HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is well documented in the western world, studies on South Asian populations are few and inconsistent. However, the incidence of HPV-associated head and neck cancer (HNC) has increased in recent years. Certain high-risk types of HPV infection are regarded as well-established risk factors for cervical cancer and a subset of HNSCC; however, their true role and importance in the progression of HNSCC remain unclear. Although HPV-associated HNC patients generally have a better prognosis than those with HPV-negative disease, current chemo- and radio-therapies are largely non-specific and have considerable toxicities. RNA interference (RNAi), which has shown great promise as a highly specific therapy for other diseases, has potential for treating HPV-associated HNC, especially if disease progression is dependent on the continual expression of HPV oncogenes.
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View more >Malignancies of the upper aero-digestive tract are a major public health problem, especially in South Asia. The major risk factors in South Asia remain smoked/smokeless tobacco, areca nut, alcohol abuse and poor diet, with limited evidence for human papillomavirus (HPV). Although HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is well documented in the western world, studies on South Asian populations are few and inconsistent. However, the incidence of HPV-associated head and neck cancer (HNC) has increased in recent years. Certain high-risk types of HPV infection are regarded as well-established risk factors for cervical cancer and a subset of HNSCC; however, their true role and importance in the progression of HNSCC remain unclear. Although HPV-associated HNC patients generally have a better prognosis than those with HPV-negative disease, current chemo- and radio-therapies are largely non-specific and have considerable toxicities. RNA interference (RNAi), which has shown great promise as a highly specific therapy for other diseases, has potential for treating HPV-associated HNC, especially if disease progression is dependent on the continual expression of HPV oncogenes.
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Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
School of Dentistry and Oral Health
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Subject
Upper aero-digestive tract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Head and neck cancer, Treatment