Oncogenic potential of human papillomaviruses epidermodysplasia verruciformis: a counterpart of Shope papilloma-carcinoma complex.

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis, a model of viral oncogenesis in humans, shows a remarkable similarity to Shope papilloma-carcinoma complex in rabbits. In humans and rabbits, both host, i.e. genetics and immunity, and environmental factors are decisive for neoplastic conversion of benign proliferative lesions. The virus seems to function as an initiation and promotor of carcinomatous transformation. In epidermodysplasia verruciformis, specific virus types are involved in malignant conversion, but a deeply depressed cell mediated immunity is responsible for infection with the potentially oncogenic viruses.