HPV Infection and Immune Escape Mechanisms
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 8
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Dear Colleagues,
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide.
HPV is a widespread DNA virus that infects epithelial cells, with a marked tropism for the anogenital and oropharyngeal regions. While most HPV infections are transient, in some cases the virus may persist, facilitating the integration of viral DNA into the host genome and potentially leading to neoplastic transformation.
Immune escape is one of the evolutionary successes of the virus. HPV evades the host’s immune response through various mechanisms that allow the virus to remain within the body, often for long periods of time. Persistent HPV infections —particularly those caused by high-risk genotypes—if not diagnosed and treated in time, can develop into precancerous lesions and invasive cancers, especially in the cervix, anus, and oropharynx.
Prevention of HPV infection and its related cancers primarily relies on vaccination, as well as on screening programs aimed at the early detection and treatment of precancerous lesions. These strategies also help reduce viral load and control the spread of infection, which remains a significant public health concern. Although prophylactic vaccines have significantly reduced the incidence of HPV-related lesions caused by most common genotypes, an increasing prevalence of previously rare genotypes is now being observed, prompting new considerations for future vaccine development and surveillance.
As mentioned, HPV can also infect anal and oral mucosa, with rising incidence rates, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Moreover, cases of co-infection in multiple anatomical sites in the same individual, further complicate disease progression and clinical management, highlighting the importance of early detection, vaccination, and ongoing monitoring.
Despite the widespread nature of HPV infection, the lack of effective therapeutic strategies to eliminate the virus and prevent its persistence is an ongoing clinical challenge. From this perspective, recent evidence supports the use of natural compounds as a promising adjunctive approach to managing HPV infection, particularly with regard to reducing viral persistence and supporting mucosal healing.
Prof. Dr. Vittorio Unfer
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- HPV
- persistence
- natural molecules
- vaccination
- genotypes
- anal infection
- oral infection
- co-infection
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