HPV-specific antivirals: Disarming viral entry and disruption of replication

Human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common infectious diseases in humans, has become a public health problem because of its ability to cause persistent infections and its important role in the development of many types of cancer. With the advancements in biotechnology and medicine, intensive efforts are being made to develop prevention and treatment strategies for this disease. This study examined various aspects of advanced antiviral therapy. In the field of capsid protein inhibitors, compounds that directly target infectious agents play important roles in preventing infectious diseases. Gene editing technology such as CRISPR/Cas9, which targets the HPV oncogenes E6 and E7, can disrupt the virus’s life cycle and trigger apoptosis. The use of nanoparticles and liposomes not only increases the absorption of drugs into tissues but also reduces treatment-related side effects. In addition, combination therapies that combine vaccines, immunosuppressive agents, and antibiotics to improve treatment are promising. Physical and chemical methods, such as topical creams, remain the primary choice for treating genital warts. This study highlights the importance of developing and implementing new strategies to prevent and treat HPV. This study provides a comprehensive review of recent developments, paving the way for future research. For this narrative review, more than 310 relevant articles were identified and screened from PubMed and Google Scholar. After applying the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 139 articles were selected for the final analysis. Articles were excluded primarily because of duplication, irrelevance to the research topic, or poor quality. The literature search focused mainly on studies published from 2018 onward; however, select earlier seminal studies were also included to provide a historical context. • The development of human papilloma virus (HPV) in epidermal cells is a complex process involving interactions with primary and secondary receptors, leading to the core of the endocytosis path that releases the viral genome. • Various treatments for HPV and cancer, particularly cervical cancer, include drug therapy, immunotherapy and physical therapy, which include their own benefits and limitations. • New approaches such as CRISPR/Cas9 and siRNA targeting HPV oncogenic proteins, as well as blocking endocytosis pathways, may be effective strategies to reduce infection and disease treatment.