Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Agents and Cancer".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 4936

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Guest Editor
Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Cracow Branch, Cracow, Poland
Interests: HPV infections; cancer
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Currently, infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is estimated to be the primary etiological factor for approximately 5% of all malignant tumors. HR-HPV infection is a well-established risk factor in the development of certain anogenital cancers, including cervical, vulvar, penile, and anal cancers. Recently, increasing attention has been directed toward the role of this infection in the development of other types of malignant tumors. Understanding the prevalence of HPV infection across various malignant tumor types may enhance our comprehension of the carcinogenesis process and assist in identifying novel prognostic and/or predictive factors in non-anogenital cancers. Although HPV infection is a recognized risk factor in the aforementioned cancers, its significance in the development of many other malignant tumors remains under investigation. Additionally, methods for detecting transcriptionally active infection, in particular, require further research. Therefore, we warmly invite you to submit your publication to the Special Issue of Cancers entitled “Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Cancer”.

Prof. Dr. Beata Biesaga
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • HPV
  • carcinogenesis
  • methods of virus identification diagnostics
  • prognostification

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 707 KB  
Article
Discordance Between p16-Expression and HPV-Status in Sinonasal Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
by Nina Wenda, Henrike Barbara Zech, Marta Barde, Leoni Ramke, Anna Sophie Hoffmann, Till Clauditz, Sebastian Wagner, Jan Gosepath and Christian Stephan Betz
Cancers 2025, 17(19), 3135; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17193135 - 26 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-established risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), where p16 immunohistochemistry serves as a surrogate marker. However, the role of HPV in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) remains less defined, and the reliability of p16 [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-established risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), where p16 immunohistochemistry serves as a surrogate marker. However, the role of HPV in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) remains less defined, and the reliability of p16 as a standalone surrogate is under debate. This study aimed to assess the concordance between p16 expression and HPV-DNA status in SNSCC and characterize clinicopathologic features in HPV-associated cases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 111 SNSCC cases diagnosed between 2008 and 2024 at two German centers. p16 status was determined by immunohistochemistry using site-specific antibody protocols. HPV-DNA testing and genotyping were performed via PCR and reverse hybridization. Clinical and histopathological data were collected and compared between HPV-positive and -negative tumors. Results: HPV-DNA was detected in 31/111 cases (27.9%), with HPV16 and HPV33 (Site A) and HPV 16 and HPV18 (Site B) being the most frequent subtypes. Discordance between p16 and HPV-DNA status was observed in 29.7% of cases, with site-specific discordance rates of 44.6% and 14.5%. Patients with HPV-positive tumors were younger than their HPV-negative counterparts. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the limitations of p16 as a single surrogate marker for detecting HPV-associated sinonasal cancer. Future research on the role of HPV in sinonasal cancer should integrate complementary testing methods (like p16Ink4A immunohistochemistry and HPV DNA/mRNA analysis) and aim for test standardization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Cancer)
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Review

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21 pages, 616 KB  
Review
Cervical Cancer Screening in the HPV-Vaccinated and Digital Era: Reassessing Strategies in Light of Artificial Intelligence and Evolving Risk
by Apostolia Galani, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Efthalia Moustakli, Anastasios Potiris, Maria Paraskevaidi, Ioannis Arkoulis, Pavlos Machairoudias, Stefania Maneta Stavrakaki, Maria Kyrgiou and Sofoklis Stavros
Cancers 2025, 17(19), 3179; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17193179 - 30 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background: The widespread use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the rise in digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are causing significant changes in the paradigms surrounding cervical cancer screening. Objective: This review addresses potential future paths toward risk-based, customized [...] Read more.
Background: The widespread use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the rise in digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are causing significant changes in the paradigms surrounding cervical cancer screening. Objective: This review addresses potential future paths toward risk-based, customized screening and prevention while summarizing the available data on how vaccination and digital innovation are changing cervical cancer screening methods. Results: A shift from cytology-based screening to HPV-based primary testing with longer intervals has been supported by the notable decrease in high-grade cervical lesions brought about by HPV vaccination. However, AI and digital health tools, such as digital colposcopy, automated cytology, telemedicine, and self-sampling, have the potential to increase diagnostic access, accuracy, and efficiency, especially in low-resource environments. Implementation hurdles, data security, and algorithmic bias are major obstacles. Conclusions: Digital platforms, molecular diagnostics, and vaccination histories must all be incorporated into screening methods in order to keep up with the decline in HPV-related illness. The elimination of cervical cancer could be accelerated and equality and efficiency increased with customized, risk-based algorithms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Cancer)
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18 pages, 4098 KB  
Review
Human Papillomavirus-Related Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Alejandra Sandoval-Clavijo, Ignasí Martí-Martí, Carla Ferrándiz-Pulido, Júlia Verdaguer-Faja, Ane Jaka and Agustí Toll
Cancers 2025, 17(5), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17050897 - 5 Mar 2025
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Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with the carcinogenesis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), especially in immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews the microbiology of HPV and its role in tissue tropism, invasion, and oncogenesis. It also describes possible HPV oncogenic ability [...] Read more.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has been associated with the carcinogenesis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), especially in immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews the microbiology of HPV and its role in tissue tropism, invasion, and oncogenesis. It also describes possible HPV oncogenic ability due to the inactivation of the host p53 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb) by HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7, producing a suppression of cell cycle checkpoints and uncontrolled cell proliferation that may eventually result in invasive carcinoma. We will focus on β-HPV types and their role in epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV), as well as α types and their ability to cause cutaneous and mucosal pathology. We also intend to examine the clinical characteristics of cSCC related to HPV and host immunosuppression conditions such as solid organ transplant in order to provide management guidelines for patients with cSCC associated with HPV based on available data. Other topics addressed in this article include particular locations of cSCC, such as nails; the prognosis; the recurrence; therapeutic modalities; and the role of HPV vaccines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Related Cancer)
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