MetaFilter posts tagged with HPV Posts tagged with 'HPV' at MetaFilter. Fri, 22 Nov 2013 16:25:44 -0800 Fri, 22 Nov 2013 16:25:44 -0800 en-us 60 HPV: Sex, cancer and a virus "On a sunny day in 1998, Maura Gillison was walking across the campus of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, thinking about a virus. The young oncologist bumped into the director of the university's cancer centre, who asked politely about her work. Gillison described her discovery of early evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) — a ubiquitous pathogen that infects nearly every human at some point in their lives — could be causing tens of thousands of cases of throat cancer each year in the United States. The senior doctor stared down at Gillison, not saying a word. “That was the first clue that what I was doing was interesting to others and had potential significance,” recalls Gillison."<blockquote><a href="">Human papillomavirus is causing a new form of head and neck cancer— leaving researchers scrambling to understand risk factors, tests and treatments.</a></blockquote> <blockquote><a href="">Case–Control Study of Human Papillomavirus and Oropharyngeal Cancer</a> <strong>BACKGROUND</strong>: Substantial molecular evidence suggests a role for human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma, but epidemiologic data have been inconsistent. <strong>METHODS</strong>: We performed a hospital-based, case–control study of 100 patients with newly diagnosed oropharyngeal cancer and 200 control patients without cancer to evaluate associations between HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancer. Multivariate logistic-regression models were used for case–control comparisons. <strong>RESULTS</strong>: A high lifetime number of vaginal-sex partners (26 or more) was associated with oropharyngeal cancer (odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 6.5), as was a high lifetime number of oral-sex partners (6 or more) (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.8). The degree of association increased with the number of vaginal-sex and oral-sex partners (P values for trend, 0.002 and 0.009, respectively). Oropharyngeal cancer was significantly associated with oral HPV type 16 (HPV-16) infection (odds ratio, 14.6; 95% CI, 6.3 to 36.6), oral infection with any of 37 types of HPV (odds ratio, 12.3; 95% CI, 5.4 to 26.4), and seropositivity for the HPV-16 L1 capsid protein (odds ratio, 32.2; 95% CI, 14.6 to 71.3). HPV-16 DNA was detected in 72% (95% CI, 62 to 81) of 100 paraffin-embedded tumor specimens, and 64% of patients with cancer were seropositive for the HPV-16 oncoprotein E6, E7, or both. HPV-16 L1 seropositivity was highly associated with oropharyngeal cancer among subjects with a history of heavy tobacco and alcohol use (odds ratio, 19.4; 95% CI, 3.3 to 113.9) and among those without such a history (odds ratio, 33.6; 95% CI, 13.3 to 84.8). The association was similarly increased among subjects with oral HPV-16 infection, regardless of their tobacco and alcohol use. By contrast, tobacco and alcohol use increased the association with oropharyngeal cancer primarily among subjects without exposure to HPV-16. <strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong>: Oral HPV infection is strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancer among subjects with or without the established risk factors of tobacco and alcohol use. <a href="">Evidence for a Causal Association Between Human Papillomavirus and a Subset of Head and Neck Cancers</a> <strong>Background</strong>: High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are etiologic agents for anogenital tract cancers and have been detected in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). We investigated, retrospectively, an etiologic role for HPVs in a large series of patients with HNSCC. <strong>Methods</strong>: Tumor tissues from 253 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent HNSCC were tested for the presence of HPV genome by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, Southern blot hybridization, and in situ hybridization. The viral E6 coding region was sequenced to confirm the presence of tumor-specific viral isolates. Exons 5–9 of the TP53 gene were sequenced from 166 specimens. The hazard of death from HNSCC in patients with and without HPV-positive tumors was determined by proportional hazards regression analysis. <strong>Results</strong>: HPV was detected in 62 (25%) of 253 cases (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19%–30%). High-risk, tumorigenic type HPV16 was identified in 90% of the HPV-positive tumors. HPV16 was localized specifically by in situ hybridization within the nuclei of cancer cells in preinvasive, invasive, and lymph node disease. Southern blot hybridization patterns were consistent with viral integration. Poor tumor grade (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.2– 4.9) and oropharyngeal site (OR = 6.2; 95% CI = 3.1–12.1) independently increased the probability of HPV presence. As compared with HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers, HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers were less likely to occur among moderate to heavy drinkers (OR = 0.17; 95% CI = 0.05–0.61) and smokers (OR = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.02–1.4), had a characteristic basaloid morphology (OR = 18.7; 95% CI = 2.1–167), were less likely to have TP53 mutations (OR = 0.06; 95% CI = 0.01–0.36), and had improved disease-specific survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.07–0.98). After adjustment for the presence of lymph node disease (HR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.4– 3.8), heavy alcohol consumption (HR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.4–4.7), and age greater than 60 years old (HR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.8–2.3), all patients with HPV-positive tumors had a 59% reduction in risk of death from cancer when compared with HPV-negative HNSCC patients (HR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.20–0.88). <strong>Conclusions</strong>: These data extend recent molecular and epidemiologic studies and strongly suggest that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers comprise a distinct molecular, clinical, and pathologic disease entity that is likely causally associated with HPV infection and that has a markedly improved prognosis.</blockquote>,2013:site.134119 Fri, 22 Nov 2013 16:25:44 -0800 Blasdelb Disclosure <a href="">Has Michael Douglas struck a blow for oral sex?</a>,2013:site.128802 Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:18:27 -0800 Artw The Cultural Cognition Project at Yale <a href="">The Cultural Cognition Project at Yale</a> looks at the cause of polarizing debates such as: global warming, gun ownership, school shootings, terrorism, nanotechnology, public health, nuclear power, foreign wars and just about every heated thread in Internet history. In short, the polarizing issue is "risk"- the perception of risk, and the proposed solutions to risk. It turns out people see risk in polarizing ways according to where they stand on a scale of cultural beliefs. <blockquote>According to CCP, people can be graded on two scales of cultural belief: 1) individualistic vs. communitarians, based on the importance people attach to the public good when balanced against individual rights; and 2) hierarchists vs. egalitarians, based on their views on the stratification of society. Republicans are more likely to be hierarchical-individualists, Democrats more often egalitarian-communitarian (these are not deterministic, rather tendencies on a per-issue basis). People's views on contentious issues tend to reflect where they are on these scales. For example hierarchical-individualists tend to reject the evidence of climate change while egalitarian-communitarian tend to accept it. When told the solution to global warming is increased antipollution measures (taxation, regulation), persons of individualistic and hierarchic worldviews become less willing to credit information suggesting that global warming exists, is caused by humans, and poses significant societal dangers. Persons with such outlooks are more willing to credit the same information when told the solution to global warming is increased reliance on nuclear power generation. Cultural Cognition Projects on other issues: *<a href="">Cultural Cognition of Scientific Consensus</a>. Why do members of the public disagree—sharply and persistently—about facts on which expert scientists largely agree? *<a href="">Gun Risk Perceptions</a>. Who fears guns, who fears gun control, and why? *<a href="">Cultural Cognition of the Risks and Benefits of Nanotechnology</a>. Risk theories more generally: *<a href="">Cultural Theory of Risk</a> *<a href="">Cultural Cognition Hypothesis</a></blockquote>,2011:site.101924 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 21:03:00 -0800 stbalbach XOXO to Title X Enjoying your Friday night? Be careful out there. In between <a href="">other things</a>, including voting for <a href="">huge cuts to the EPA's budget</a> <a href="">and regulating power</a>, the U.S. House of Representatives just voted to eliminate <a href="">Title X</a>, originally signed into law 40 years ago by <a href="">Republican President Richard Nixon</a>, which provides funding for <a href="">Planned Parenthood</a>. <a href="">If Title X is cut</a>, a number of services <a href="">for low-income women</a> would likely be reduced or eliminated across the U.S.—including vaccines and screening <a href="">to prevent cervical cancer</a>. According to <a href="">CDC statistics</a>, cervical cancer was previously the leading cause of <a href="">cancer death</a> among women in the United States. The single biggest factor, according to the CDC, in reducing cervical cancer mortality over the last 40 years: the availability of <a href="">Pap tests</a>, which can detect <a href="">precancerous cervical cells</a> (for instance, changes resulting from <a href="">HPV</a>, which <a href="">more than a quarter of U.S. women</a> ages 14 to 59 tested positive for in 2007) before they develop into cancer. The House did not, incidentally, vote to prevent the military from <a href="">sponsoring NASCAR race cars</a>.,2011:site.100714 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:45:53 -0800 limeonaire The Great Handcar Regatta of 2010 <a href="">The Great West End and Railroad Square Handcar Regatta and Exposition of Mechanical Wonders of 2010</a> As if September wasn't already a fine month in Northern California for <a href="">urban artistic eccentricity</a>, the <a href="">Santa Rosa Handcar Regatta</a> just completed its third iteration. <a href="">Human-powered vehicles</a>, <a href="">human ingenuity</a>, and <a href="">general googawfery</a>, the festival picks right up where <a href="">How Berkeley Can You Be</a> left off... Yeah, yeah, yeah SLST (Single Link Steam Punk)...but that is some fun shit right there... Coming soon to an abandoned rail bed near you?,2010:site.96143 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:59:00 -0800 piedrasyluz A Modest Proposal <a href="">Depending on which side</a> of the Irish Sea you live, the HPV jab is either a <a href="">killer</a> that shouldn't be given to young women or it's a necessary and <a href="">life saving</a> vaccination. exposes the disturbingly awful cynicism of The Daily Mail. <small>(via <a href=""></a>)</small>,2009:site.80994 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:54:40 -0800 seanyboy Imported beats domestic <a href="">Luc Montagnier, Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Harald zur Hausen</a> take the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discoveries of the <a href="">AIDS virus</a> and HPV, respectively. Take that Gallo.,2008:site.75422 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:41:42 -0800 dances_with_sneetches brushing your teeth won't help with this <a href="">HPV linked to certain throat cancers.</a> Also, <a href=,0,1095666.story?coll=la-home-center>the HPV vaccine may not be as effective as thought.</a>,2007:site.61097 Sat, 12 May 2007 09:45:02 -0800 pyramid termite Now your penis won't cause cancer! <a href="">FDA approves HPV vaccine.</a> It prevents infection from 70% of the cancer-causing strains of human papillomavirus, an STD that will affect nearly 80% of the population at some point in their lives. The vaccine has been approved for use in women ages 9 to 26. Controversy surrounding the vaccine (<a href="">discussed earlier</a>) has thankfully not stopped its progress. That just leaves a few questions: How long will it last? Who's paying for it? What are the side-effects? Oh, screw all that, where do I get in line?,2006:site.52189 Thu, 08 Jun 2006 20:46:22 -0800 schroedinger Forever Pregnant II: Morality Boogaloo <a href="">The new lies about women's health</a> (image slightly NSFW) according to <a href="">Glamour</a>. More on why <a href="">every egg is sacred</a> to the <a href="">Bush administration</a>. [via <a href="">Wired's</a> <a href="">Sex Drive Daily</a>],2006:site.52078 Sat, 03 Jun 2006 18:43:10 -0800 boost ventilator Political Science &amp; Promiscuity "The mind-set that invites a couple to use contraception is an anti-child mind-set," she told me. "So when a baby is conceived accidentally, the couple already have this negative attitude toward the child. Therefore seeking an abortion is a natural outcome. <a href="">We oppose all forms of contraception.</a>" Don't even mention the mind-set behind <a href="">a vaccine for HPV</a>.,2006:site.51500 Tue, 09 May 2006 19:01:15 -0800 missbossy Better dead than bed(ded) <a href="">Newsfilter:</a> Several <a href="">pharmaceutical</a> <a href="">companies</a> are developing vaccines against strains of the <a href="">human papilloma virus</a> that cause cervical cancer. <a href="">Some folks</a> think these shots should be required for all kids entering puberty. <a href="">Others</a> are afraid that teens given the vaccination would view it as a free pass for premarital sex.,2005:site.46330 Tue, 01 Nov 2005 22:20:50 -0800 brundlefly What's <a href=""> "the primary cause of cervical cancer?"</a> Did you know that <a href="">"as many as 40 million Americans are infected?"</a> Should you be alarmed that <a href=""> "There is no direct treatment?"</a> Let's talk <b>Papilloma.</b>,2002:site.19350 Wed, 21 Aug 2002 11:02:36 -0800 zekinskia