Pathogenesis of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and potential novel treatment strategies

Objective

To describe the pathogenesis of human papillomavirus (HPV) and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) caused by HPV6/11, immunologic and oncogenic properties, and currently available treatment strategies and to identify and discuss potential treatment targets that can become new foundations for development of future treatments.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar utilizing search terms which includes “recurrent respiratory papillomatosis” “human papillomavirus” “HPV” “laryngeal papillomatosis” in combination with keywords “physiology” “treatment” “surgery” “adjunct therapy” “antiviral therapy” “gene therapy”. No particular inclusion/exclusion criteria and no chronologic limitation were set during the search for studies to be used as references.

Results/Discussion

HPV infection begins with breaches in the epithelial barrier where it gains entry and access to the undifferentiated basal layer keratinocytes where the HPV genome interact with the host cell through the production of viral proteins encoded by the early and late gene regions facilitating viral entry, replication and proliferation. Oncoproteins interfere with host immune surveillance mechanism, promote growth factor signaling, and create a tumor microenvironment resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation and progression of HPV infection. While high-risk HPV types integrate into the host genome and aggressively promote oncogenesis, low-risk HPV remain superficial with limited oncogenic activity and immune activation which allows avoidance of inflammation induction and cytolysis thereby preventing significant antigen production and facilitates immunosurveillance evasion. The current standard of treatment of RRP is surgical debulking using lasers or cold instruments with or without and adjuvant therapies like antivirals, interferons, VEGF/EGFR inhibitors, and immunomodulators. Novel immunotherapies such as gene therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors show promising results in boosting immune responses and reducing the frequency of surgical interventions.

Conclusion

The treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis still remains as a challenge due to its high recurrence rates needing repeated surgical and medical intervention attributed to its capability to evade the host immune responses. With the current standard of treatment, advances in the understanding of HPV pathogenesis paved a way for development of new treatment strategies. Understanding the complexities of the cellular and immune mechanisms involved between HPV and the host immune system will provide us with better foundation in identifying potential treatment targets in the future.