Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a small, double stranded DNA tumour virus. Infection with HPV normally results in formation of warts. Certain types of HPV, such as type -16 and -18, are shown to have a causal role in the development of uterine cervical cancer, and are so called high risk type HPV. Recently, a role of HPV in breast cancer has been suggested, although a causal role for HPVs in human breast cancer is yet to be demonstrated. The first part of this study investigates the association of HPV with human breast cancer. The results demonstrate that 48% of breast cancers that occurred in Australian women are HPV positive and they are mainly variants of HPV-18. Further analysis shows that HPV positive breast cancer patients are significantly younger than HPV negative patients, suggesting infection with HPV increases the risk of breast cancer development. This is coincidental with increased risk of HPV infection in sexually active young women and provides evidence that HPV has a role in breast cancer development. The second part of this project investigates the mechanisms by which high risk type HPV oncogenic protein E6, transforms primary human foreskin keratinocytes (natural host cells of HPV). HPV E6 is always expressed in HPV positive cervical carcinoma and results in the degradation of the cellular tumour suppressor protein p53. It is generally believed that HPV E6 contributes to HPV transformation by degradation of p53 protein which leads to cellular immortalisation ? an early step in tumorigenic transformation. Subsequent studies, however, indicate that HPV E6 possesses other functions (such as induction of telomerase activity) which may also be involved in cellular immortalisation. The results of my investigations demonstrate: 1) that degradation of p53 protein is required but is insufficient to immortalise primary cells; 2) that HPV E6 induced telomerase activity is coincidental with an increase in cell culture passage number; 3) that multiple functions of high risk type HPV E6 protein are required for cellular immortalisation. This finding suggests HPV infection is associated with early onset of breast cancer and that multiple functions of high risk type HPV E6 protein are involved in cellular immortalisation. Further study in both of these areas should provide alternative diagnostic markers, leading to prevention and treatment strategies for HPV positive breast cancer and other cancers.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [114]-135).

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2008. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-05, page: 2669. Adviser: Theresa L. Byrd. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-83).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Los Angeles, 1998. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2002. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-125).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 20, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-36).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lund University, 1997. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.