Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of more than 100 types of viruses transmitted through sexual intercourse and may be present in as many as one out of three sexually active young adults. Although the virus is common in men and women, most people with HPV do not know that they are infected since HPV is usually asymptomatic, that is they cause no symptoms. The majority of HPV infections go away on their own and do not cause cancer. However, some HPVs can cause the growth of abnormal cells and lead to cancer. HPV infection of the cervix has been shown to be a cause of cervical cancer.

The HPV research studies are funded by the National Institutes of Health and are conducted by the University of Hawaii's Cancer Research Center.