CERVICAL CANCER AND HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) VACCINATION: PATHOGENESIS, PREVENTION AND CLINICAL EFFICACY

One of the most important achievements in cancer research has been the establishment of persistent infection with specific human papillomaviruses (HPV) genotypes as the cause of cervical cancer. Since then, various diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been developed based on this finding. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most recent developments in the biology, prevention, and treatment of HPV-related cervical cancer. The current knowledge status on vaccinations, diagnostic tools, and cervical cancer treatments is discussed. The most recent WHO recommendations on vaccinations are discussed, as well as announcements of future changes. The final section of this article summarizes new promising diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as well as views and the most recent findings on self-administered diagnostic tests, therapeutic vaccines, and circulating cell-free DNA. Although tremendous progress has been made in the past few years, the strategy of vaccination and testing still remains the cornerstone in the fight against HPV-related cervical cancer.