The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a epitheliotropic ubiquitous DNA virus and which has as main infection sites the skin and the mucosas. Lately, its association with benign and malignant neoplasias of oral cavity mainly the squamous cell carcinoma has been more evident. Its common finding in normal oral mucosa epithelium largely publicated in literature doesn't allow inferences more accurate in relation to its role in carcinogenesis (if main or coadjuvant etiological agent or simple covering epithelium inhabitant of oral mucosa). They are already more than 100 types identified which 24 were already located in oral cavity. Of these, 4 are particularly important, the HPVs types 6 and 11 (which are involved in benign lesions of oral epithelium), 16 and 18 (proved carcinogenics and possibly involved in the etiology of determined oral squamous cell carcinomas). The action of these two last types is mainly associated to the E6 and E7 oncoproteins produced by themselves. The E6 binds, sequestrates and degrades the p53, an important tumour supressor protein. The second binds and sequestrates the pRb, also tumour supressor, facilitating the release of E2F. In spite of the refinement HPV detection techniques in oral mucosa lesions, its direct involvement with the oral carcinomas wasn't still duly proved, however, in our opinion, the association of virus with chemical and physical carcinogens in some squamous cell carcinomas, such as the tobacco and alcohol, may represents a plausible explanation regarding the role of human papillomavirus in oral carcinogenesis.
HPV; oral cancer; E6 protein; E7 protein; carcinogenesis