The study “Role of human papillomavirus infection and other co-factors in the aetiology of head and neck cancer in Europe and India” (HPV-AHEAD) has been recently funded by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Commission in the Cooperation Work Program - Health 2011, specific call “Epidemiology and etiology of infection-related cancers”.

It involves nine partners from six European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain) and one partner from India. The main goal of the study is to perform a comprehensive analysis of a large number of head and neck cancers (HNC) in Europe and India to provide important insights on the aetiology of this cancer and further clarify the role of HPV infection.

It is expected that this program will provide important insights for the screening, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of HPV-associated HNC in Europe, India and elsewhere in the world.