Vasculogenic mimicry in human cancers associated with chronic high-risk human papillomavirus infection

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) allows tumor cells to form vessel-like channels, promoting growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), mainly types 16 and 18, is a key factor in various cancers, including anogenital and head and neck cancers. VM has been documented in cervical cancer and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but its role in other HPV-associated cancers remains unexplored. This review summarizes literature published between October 2024 and April 2025 in PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on VM in HPV-related cancers. General mechanisms highlighted include epithelial-mesenchymal transition, hypoxia, and activation of STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathways. Molecular regulators include TXNDC5, CHI3L1, erythropoietin, and microRNAs miR-124 and miR-29b in cervical cancer; and collagen XVI, LGR5, ALDH1, Beclin 1, VE-cadherin, CD44, HIF-1α, and SOX7 in OSCC. From a translational perspective, elucidating the molecular regulators of VM could reveal therapeutic opportunities through strategies targeting specific signaling pathways in tumor cells.