HPV-specific oligonucleotides

This invention relates to the human papillomavirus. More specifically, this invention relates to the inhibition, treatment, and diagnosis of human papillomavirus-associated lesions using synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to human papillomavirus nucleic acid. The present invention discloses synthetic oligonucleotides complementary to a nucleic acid spanning the translational start site of human papillomavirus gene E1, and including at least 15 nucleotides. Also disclosed are methods and kits for inhibiting the replication of HPV, for inhibiting the expression of HPV nucleic acid and protein, for detection of HPV, and for treating HPV infections.