A 35-year-old woman undergoes routine cervical cancer screening. Her Pap smear shows koilocytic atypia. Which of the following HPV subtypes is most strongly associated with the development of cervical carcinoma in this patient?
- A HPV 6
- B HPV 11
- C HPV 16 ✓
- D HPV 42
Correct answer: C. HPV 16
Explanation
HPV 16 and 18 are high-risk subtypes responsible for the majority of cervical carcinomas. They produce E6 and E7 oncoproteins that inactivate tumor suppressors p53 and Rb. HPV 6 and 11 are low-risk subtypes that cause anogenital warts but rarely undergo malignant transformation. HPV 42 is also a low-risk subtype associated with benign lesions.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.