TP53 and cervical cancer: Integration of the viral genome into the host genome causes persistent oncogenic expression.[9,10] The viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 of HR-HPV play major roles in cervical cancer.[3,4] The E6 protein stimulates degradation of the tumor suppressor p53, resulting in the creation of a trimeric complex of p53, E6, and E6-AP, which promotes cell proliferation.