Abstract
Evaluation of: Trimble CL, Clark RC, Thoburn C et al. Human papillomavirus 16-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in humans excludes CD8 T cells from dysplastic epithelium. J. Immunol. 185, 7107–7114 (2010).
Immune-response analysis is the key to understanding the interaction between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the host. The possibility of regression of HPV-related diseases, particularly regarding the high-grade intraepithelial lesions (CIN2–3) due to HPV-16 infection, is immunologically mediated. Indeed, a mechanism of immune evasion of papillomavirus could be related to preventing CD8 T cells from egressing into the lesional epithelium, thus playing a fundamental role in its persistence over time. This topic is extremely relevant for clinical purpose, as it is now impossible to properly select a therapy for these cervical preinvasive lesions destined to progress, while avoiding ineffective and harmful treatment (although conservative) in the remaining low-risk women.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.