The incidence of virus-related head and neck tumours is reaching epidemic proportions, particularly in the developed world. Anna Huber provides an overview and discusses the need to improve patient outcomes.
A breakthrough in the detection of cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is on the horizon with the launch of the Abviris HPV16 subtype-specific serological assay. Unlike the more common molecular methods for the detection of HPV DNA in cells and tissues, the test relies on detecting an immune response that occurs when an HPV infection has led to tumour growth.
Experts have been warning of a ‘virus-related cancer epidemic’ and calling for improved methods of early detection, treatment control and post-treatment surveillance of HPV-induced cancers.1 At the same time, they stress that any solution must be cost-effective and easy to integrate into clinical practice.
Healthcare agencies worldwide view HPV vaccination as the silver bullet against HPV cancers. However, vaccinated populations will not reach cancer-relevant age for many decades and there are still over seven billion individuals currently unprotected.2 As a result, incidence of HPV-induced cancer will continue to rise, alongside a rise in the need to expand detection strategies beyond cervical cancer.
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