Final answer:
HPV integration can lead to cancer by inactivating the tumor suppressor protein p53, allowing mutations to accumulate in the host cell's DNA which increases the risk of cervical cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
HPV integration into the host cell can lead to the disruption of cellular processes. This occurs when high-risk types of HPV produce proteins, such as E6 and E7, which can inactivate key tumor suppressor proteins within the host cell. The most studied protein affected by HPV is p53. Normally, p53 functions to detect DNA damage and either initiate DNA repair or trigger apoptosis to prevent the accumulation of mutations. When high-risk HPV types like HPV 16 or HPV 18 enter the cell, they can neutralize p53, fostering an environment for mutations to accumulate and increasing the risk of uncontrolled cell growth and cervical cancer. The process of how high-risk HPV leads to cancer is critical in understanding the dangers posed by persistent infections with these oncogenic strains of HPV.