Nobel laureate Harald zur Hausen died in Germany at the age of 87, thanks to whom vaccines against the human papillomavirus (HPV) were created, which prevent the development of cervical cancer and other oncological diseases.. The death of the scientist on May 28 was announced by the German Cancer Research Center, which he headed for 20 years, the press service of the center reports..

Harald zur Hausen demonstrated in 1983 that cervical cancer in humans is caused by certain types of papillomaviruses (wart viruses) whose genes are built into the DNA of host cells. This discovery led to the development of a vaccine against cervical cancer, which was the second most common cancer in women.. Harald zur Hausen's research laid the groundwork for developing a vaccine against cancer-causing human papillomaviruses. Millions of people around the world are now enjoying this scientific achievement.

Zur Hausen is one of the most prominent and successful pioneers in the field of tumor virology.. Back in 1970, he presented compelling evidence for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in Burkitt's tumor and in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.. This discovery is considered to be one of the earliest and most important milestones in the history of human tumor virology.. Because only a subset of people infected with EBV actually develop EBV-associated tumors, these findings have paved the way for understanding the role of tumor virus DNA in multistage carcinogenesis and the importance of immune mechanisms at the cellular and whole-body levels..

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During his stay in Freiburg, Zur Hausen carried out detailed studies on the regulation of EBV, with particular attention to research aimed at elucidating the role of papillomaviruses in the development of tumors.. These efforts were successful: his studies in Freiburg provided evidence for the existence of the first human papillomavirus associated with cervical carcinoma (HPV-16).

Epidemiological studies have finally confirmed the importance of human papillomavirus infection and the benefits of its prevention.. Zur Hausen completed his impressive work on this subject by developing a vaccine against specific papillomaviruses and HPV-associated tumors resulting from it..

Note that most cancers have a good prognosis for treatment if detected at an early stage.. The Ministry of Health and the National Cancer Institute have given advice on when women and men should get cancer screening and how to do it for free..