Expression of integrin and toll-like receptors in cervical cancer (in vivo and ex vivo study)

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women world-wide. Although persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered the most important causative agent of cervical cancer, the mechanisms toward malignant transformation remain unclear. Some evidence suggest that bacterial vaginosis (BV), a shift in normal vaginal flora toward infection of Gram-negative bacteria, may play a role in the development of cervical cancer. As part of the innate immune system, toll-like receptors (TLR) are important for the early detection and clearance of viral and bacterial infections, and are posed to play an important role in the development of cervical cancer.