Current advances in the basic research and clinical management of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a relatively uncommon disease that presents clinically with symptoms ranging from hoarseness to severe dyspnea. Human papilloma viruses type 6 and 11 are important in the etiology of the papillomata and are most probably transmitted from mother to child during childbirth. Although spontaneous remission is frequent, a rare fatal course because of pulmonary spread or malignant transformation has occurred. CO2 laser evaporation of papillomas and adjuvant drug therapy using lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon are the most common treatment modalities at present. However, several other treatment modalities have been tried with varying success. Recent advances in basic research and different therapeutic approaches are reviewed.