Pathogenesis and Early Diagnosis of HPV-Related Cancers and Pre-Cancers

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 279

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Preventive Gynecology Unit, European Institute of Oncology, Via Ripamonti 435, 20141 Milan, Italy
Interests: gynecologic oncology; lower genital tract disease; HPV; colposcopy; ultrasound
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20141 Milan, Italy
Interests: HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers; head and neck pathology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue entitled “Pathogenesis and Early Diagnosis of HPV-Related Cancers and Pre-Cancers”. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a well-established cause of several malignancies, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Despite major advances in prevention, many questions remain regarding the biological mechanisms underlying the progression from infection to cancer, the identification of individuals at highest risk, and the development of tools to improve early detection.

This Special Issue aims to explore the most recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of HPV-related cancers and pre-cancers, with a particular focus on early diagnosis. We welcome original research articles and reviews addressing molecular mechanisms, host–virus interactions, and the role of the microbiome, as well as the development and validation of novel molecular assays, biomarkers of persistence or progression, and prognostic indicators of treatment outcomes and recurrence risk.

In this Special Issue, we particularly encourage contributions on translational approaches that may guide clinical practice and improve patient management.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Dr. Anna Daniela Iacobone
Dr. Marta Tagliabue
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • HPV-related cancer
  • molecular diagnostics
  • precancerous lesions
  • biomarkers
  • early detection
  • cervical cancer
  • anal cancer
  • oropharyngeal cancer
  • prognostic factors
  • HPV genotyping

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 1983 KiB  
Article
Screening for Cervical Cancer and Early Treatment (SCCET) Project—The Programmatic Data of Romanian Experience in Primary Screening for High-Risk HPV DNA
by Gabriel Marian Saveliev, Adriana Irina Ciuvică, Dragos Cretoiu, Valentin Nicolae Varlas, Cristian Balalau, Irina Balescu, Nicolae Bacalbasa, Laurentiu Camil Bohiltea and Nicolae Suciu
Diagnostics 2025, 15(16), 2066; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15162066 - 18 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cervical cancer (CC), caused mainly by high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV), remains a global health challenge despite being preventable. The disease’s incidence and mortality rates significantly vary across regions, highlighting the need for effective screening programs. The World Health Organization prioritizes CC screening [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cervical cancer (CC), caused mainly by high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV), remains a global health challenge despite being preventable. The disease’s incidence and mortality rates significantly vary across regions, highlighting the need for effective screening programs. The World Health Organization prioritizes CC screening to monitor and eliminate the disease. The Screening for Cervical Cancer and Early Treatment (SCCET) project aligns with this goal by adhering to the 2012 National Program for Cervical Cancer Screening and implementing the European Guidelines of Quality Assurance. Methods: The SCCET initiative facilitates access to equitable and high-quality preventive medical services for Romanian women, incorporating the Babeș–Papanicolaou smear (Pap test) and/or hrHPV DNA screening. Focused on the Muntenia Region of South Romania, the project leverages a methodical approach to gather substantial medical data on hrHPV infection rates and cervical lesions, thereby improving health management for women in the screening program. Results: Through public information and educational campaigns about HPV and its link to CC, the SCCET project has significantly enhanced participation in the screening program. In the study conducted between September 2022 and March 2023, 14,385 women aged 30 to 64 years voluntarily participated; of these, 11,996 (83.4%) underwent primary hrHPV DNA screening and were tested using the PowerGene 9600 Plus Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system and the commercial Atila BioSystems AmpFire® HPV Screening 16/18/HR test, version 4.1. This substantial participation indicates a positive shift in public attitudes towards CC prevention and highlights the success of the project’s outreach efforts. The study revealed an overall prevalence of hrHPV infection of 12.24%; of these, the most common genotype was other hrHPV types (9.84%), followed by HPV 16 (2.3%) and HPV 18 (0.71%). Conclusions: The SCCET project’s recent data on primary hrHPV DNA screening showcases its pivotal role in advancing the management and prevention of CC in Romania. By providing accessible, high-quality screening services and fostering public education on HPV, the initiative has made significant strides toward reducing the burden of CC. This effort aligns with global public health goals, and providing updated information on the prevalence of hrHPV types will allow the development of personalized national screening and vaccination programs to eradicate CC. Full article
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