An isolated protein sequence or peptide from the E2, E6 or E7 early coding
region of human papillomavirus (HPV) that is soluble in an aqueous
medium, and characterized by a relative paucity of tryptophan, methionine
and cysteine residues, and a relative abundance of glycine and asparagine
residues. Also disclosed are isolated protein sequences or peptides from
the E2, E6 or E7 early coding regions of HPV 16 and 18 and methodologies
for detecting or diagnosing cancer or cellular abnormalities. Detection
or diagnosis of Cancer or cellular abnormalities may include detecting or
diagnosing pre-cancerous or pre-malignant conditions, cervical dysplasia,
cervical carcinoma, koilocytosis, hyperkeratosis, intraepithelial
lesions, and other cancers. A methodology for detecting or diagnosing
cancer or cellular abnormalities comprises the steps of (1) reacting a
sample of body fluid or tissue with isolated protein sequences or
peptides; (2) forming an antibody-peptide complex; and (3) detecting the
antibody-peptide complex.