Spontaneous regression of CIN and delayed-type hypersensitivity to HPV-16 oncoprotein E7

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 356; no. 9246; pp. 1985 - 1986
• Main Authors: Höpfl, Reinhard, Heim, Kurt, Christensen, Neil, Zumbach, Klaus, Wieland, Ulrike, Volgger, Birgit, Widschwendter, Andreas, Haimbuchner, Sandra, Müller-Holzner, Elisabeth, Pawlita, Michael, Pfister, Herbert, Fritsch, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 09-12-2000; Lancet; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - immunology; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia - virology; Female; Genital system. Mammary gland; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Delayed - immunology; Hypersensitivity, Delayed - virology; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Oncogene Proteins, Viral - immunology; Papillomaviridae - immunology; Papillomavirus E7 Proteins; Papillomavirus Infections - immunology; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Peptides; Proteins; Remission, Spontaneous; Sexually transmitted diseases; Skin; Skin Tests; STD; Tumor Virus Infections - immunology; Viruses; Women; Human; T cell receptor; Cytologic investigation; Helper cell; Delayed hypersensitivity; Tumoral marker; Papovaviridae; Carcinogenesis; Female genital diseases; Infection; Papillomavirus; Virus; Human papillomavirus 16; Human papillomavirus; Cervical dysplasia; Viral disease; Uterine diseases; Female; Comparative study; Skin test
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)03315-8

We investigated delayed-type hypersensitivity to human papillomavirus (HPV) in women with cervical dysplasia or cancer. Women were challenged by skin tests with synthetic HPV-16 E7 oncoprotein peptides. 11 women were regressors (cleared disease without treatment) and 37 were progressors (required surgery). Antibodies to early antigens (markers for progression) were detectable in a higher proportion of cancer patients than all other patients, particularly progressors with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). By contrast, cellular immunity to HPV-16 E7, measured by skin test, was significantly (p=0·0001) associated with clinical and cytological resolution of HPV-induced CIN, indicating that E7-specific T-helper cells have a role in control of HPV.