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BACKGROUND: Little is known about penile high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to determine the incidence, clearance, and persistence of penile hrHPV among Rwandan MSM. METHODS: We enrolled 350 MSM (345 with valid human papillomavirus [HPV] results) aged ≥18 years. At each visit (6-12 months apart), we collected penile PreservCyt specimens and blood for HPV and HIV testing, as well as sociodemographic and behavioral variables. HPV testing was performed with the Ampfire assay. Penile hrHPV incidence and clearance per 1000 person-months of follow-up, as well as prevalent and incident persistence, were computed and compared by HIV status. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 27.7 (6.7) years and 19.4% were living with HIV. Penile hrHPV incidence was 34.8 (95% CI, 29.1-41.8) per 1000 person-months of follow-up. HPV-16 (11.7; 95% CI, 9.26-14.9) and HPV-59 (6.1; 95% CI, 4.52-8.39) had the highest incidence rates. Prevalent and incident persistence was 47.5% and 46.6%, respectively. HPV-66 (33.3%), HPV-52 (30.8%), and HPV-16 (29.2%) had the highest prevalent persistence and HPV-33 (53.8%), HPV-31 (46.7%), and HPV-16 (42.6%) the highest incident persistence. No differences were found by HIV status except for HPV-45 (higher in MSM with HIV). CONCLUSIONS: We found high incidence and prevalent/incident persistence of penile hrHPV among Rwandan MSM. This highlights the importance of preventive strategies for HPV-associated anogenital cancers.

Introduction: The etiology of esophageal squamous papilloma (ESP) is largely unknown. Previous studies have shown a variable association with human papillomavirus (HPV) with conflicting data. The aim of this study was to further investigate the possible association of HPV in our ESP series using RNA in-situ hybridization (ISH) and compare study groups from the United States of America and China. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of patients with ESP were retrieved from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) (1/2016-3/2019) and Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) (9/2014-3/2019) pathology databases. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were reexamined. Confirmed cases were examined by high- and low-risk HPV RNA ISH. Results: For the UCLA cohort, 13 429 upper endoscopies were performed and 78 biopsies from 72 patients were identified as ESP (F:M = 45:27, 66.7% > 45 years). Seventy-four (94.9%) biopsies were designated as polyps or nodules and 46.6% were located in the mid-esophagus. Other abnormal findings included gastroesophageal reflux disease (48.6%), hiatal hernia (38.9%), and esophagitis (36.1%). For the PUMCH cohort, 63 754 upper endoscopies were performed and 73 biopsies from 71 patients were identified as ESP (F:M = 48:23, 71.8% > 45 years). Sixty-four (87.7%) biopsies were designated as polyps or nodules and 57.5% were located in the mid-esophagus. Other abnormal findings included esophagitis (19.7%), and hiatal hernia (8.5%). No features of conventional cytologic dysplasia or viral cytopathic change were found. None of the cases was associated with squamous cell carcinoma, and none showed positive HPV RNA ISH results. Conclusions: No association was found between ESP and active HPV infection in our 2 cohorts. Other etiopathogenetic mechanisms, such as aging, might contribute to the development of these innocent lesions.

BACKGROUND: Detection and treatment of anal histologic high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (hHSIL) prevents anal cancer. However, anal hHSIL incidence among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, WHIV) remains unknown. Performance of anal high-risk human papillomavirus ([hr]HPV), anal cytology (anal-cyt), and both for hHSIL detection longitudinally over 2 years also remains undetermined. METHODS: We determined 2-year incidence and cumulative risk estimates (2-y-CR) of anal hHSIL among WHIV using prevalence and incidence (per 100 person-years [py]) observations stratified by baseline hrHPV and/or anal-cyt results. RESULTS: In total, 229 WHIV with complete baseline data were included in the analysis; 114 women without prevalent anal hHSIL were followed with 2 annual evaluations. Median age was 51, 63% were Black, and 23% were Hispanic. Anal hrHPV or abnormal anal-cyt was associated with an increased risk of incident anal hHSIL at 2 years (18.9/100py [95% confidence interval {CI} 11.4-31.3] and 13.4/100py [95% CI 8.0-22.7], respectively) compared with no detection of anal HPV or negative cytology (2.8/100py [95% CI 1.1-7.4] and 4.2 [95% CI, 1.8-10.2]) The presence of anal hrHPV with abnormal cytology was associated with 2-y-CR of anal hHSIL of 65.6% (95% CI 55.4%-75%); negative hrHPV with negative cytology was associated with 2-y-CR of anal hHSIL of 9.2% (95% CI 7.0-16.0). CONCLUSIONS: Detection of anal hrHPV or abnormal anal cytology are comparable predictors for 2-y-CR of anal hHSIL. The absence of anal hrHPV combined with negative cytology was predictive of a lower (but measurable) risk of developing anal hHSIL. These findings provide important data to inform anal cancer screening guidelines for WHIV.

BACKGROUND: International data on anogenital HPV infection incidence among men are limited. METHODS: Incidence of incident-persistent (IP) anogenital HPV infections was evaluated among 295 men who have sex with men (MSM) and 1576 heterosexual men (HM) aged 16-27 years in the placebo arm of a global, multicenter 4-valent (4v) HPV vaccine trial. We estimated IP incidence (penile/scrotal, perineal/perianal, anal) for 4vHPV and 9-valent (9v) HPV vaccine types and cumulative IP incidence over 36 months. RESULTS: IP infection incidence per 100 person-years (95% CI) among HM for 4vHPV and 9vHPV types was 4.1 (3.5-4.9) and 6.8 (5.9-7.6) at penile/scrotal, and 1.2 (.8-1.6) and 1.9 (1.5-2.4) at perineal/perianal sites, respectively; and among MSM, IP infection incidence was 2.3 (1.3-3.8) and 3.2 (2.0-4.9) at penile/scrotal, 6.8 (4.9-9.2) and 9.0 (6.9-11.6) at perineal/perianal, and 12.0 (9.4-15.1) and 16.8 (13.7-20.2) at anal sites, respectively. Cumulative IP incidence over 36 months (excluding anal canal; any 9vHPV type) was higher among MSM versus HM (24.1% vs 18.4%). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of unvaccinated men of catch-up vaccination age developed IP 9vHPV-related infections. Gender-neutral vaccination could decrease male HPV infection, contribute to herd protection, and reduce disease burden. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00090285.

Persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is a key driver in the development of cervical cancer (CC). We aimed to elucidate the relationship between preoperative high-risk HPV status and prognosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in patients undergoing cervical conization. We retrospectively analyzed data from 2546 patients with CIN who underwent HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing and cervical conization in two individual years, i.e., 2009 and 2013, at 205 Japanese institutions. Patients were categorized into five groups based on their high-risk HPV status: highrisk HPV negative (Group 1); HPV 16/18 positive (Group 2); positive for HPV types 31, 33, 35, 45, 52 or 58 (Group 3); other high-risk HPV positive (Group 4); and unconfirmed high-risk HPV status (Group 5). Logistic and Cox regression analyses were conducted for statistical assessment. The distribution of participants across Groups 1 to 5 was 8.1%, 26.3%, 20.1%, 3.0% and 42.5%, respectively. Cervical conization identified CC in 3.9% (99 patients) of the cohort. Multivariate analysis revealed that diagnostic conization, preoperative diagnosis of CIN grade 3 and HPV 16/18 positivity were significant risk factors for post-conization CC. Notably, no correlation was found between preoperative HPV status and post-conization recurrence in patients without CC. HPV types 16 and 18 emerged as significant independent risk factors for CC development following conization. The study findings underscore the need for vigilant management of this patient group. However, the presence of high-risk HPV before conization was not correlated with the risk of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The importance of human papillomavirus (HPV) co‐testing using physician‐, self‐, and urine‐collected samples to predict cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 1–2 prognoses has not been previously reported. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate outcomes of patients with CIN 1–2 who simultaneously underwent physician‐, self‐, and urine‐collection sampling tests. Methods: This study was conducted in Japan between October 2019 and November 2022 and examined the proportion of cases with CIN 1–2 progressions, the percentage of cases with persistent CIN 1–2, and the outcome differences according to the results of physician‐, self‐, and urine‐sampling tests. Results: There were 105 and 59 CIN 1 and 2 cases, respectively, with progression or persistence in 27 (29.3%) and 21 (50.0%) cases, respectively. The median follow‐up was 20 and 12 months, respectively. Progression and persistence of CIN 1 were significantly associated with HPV‐positive physician‐ and self‐collected samples. No significant difference was observed between cases with CIN 2 who had HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative results using any sampling method. Conclusions: Physician‐ and self‐testing for HPV are crucial for predicting disease progression risk in CIN 1 cases. Future research with an extended observation period and consideration of the progression risks is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deer warts, or cutaneous fibromas, are skin tumors caused by papillomavirus infection that affect white-tailed deer and other deer. These growths are generally benign, but in rare cases may proliferate and impede functions like sight, movement, or feeding. Deer immune systems usually eradicate the infection over time. Found exclusively on the skin, usually around the eyes, neck, face, and forelegs, warts may be diverse in appearance and size, ranging from small fleshy nodules to larger, pendulous masses or clusters. Transmission mechanisms are suspected to involve skin contact or possibly insect vectors but remain unclear. Diagnosis is by visual examination and histopathological analysis of the wart tissue. Wild deer populations usually do not require treatment, but surgical removal is an option for captive herds. Vaccine development remains plausible but has not yet been pursued extensively.

Papillomaviruses (PV) infect epithelial cells and can cause hyperplastic or neoplastic lesions. In felids, most described PVs are from domestic cats (Felis catus; n = 7 types), with one type identified in each of the five wild felid species studied to date (Panthera uncia, Puma concolor, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera leo persica and Lynx rufus). PVs from domestic cats are highly diverse and are currently classified into three genera (Lambdapapillomavirus, Dyothetapapillomavirus, and Taupapillomavirus), whereas those from wild felids, although diverse, are all classified into the Lambdapapillomavirus genus. In this study, we used a metagenomic approach to identify ten novel PV genomes from rectal swabs of five deceased caracals (Caracal caracal) living in the greater Cape Town area, South Africa. These are the first PVs to be described from caracals, and represent six new PV types, i.e., Caracal caracal papillomavirus (CcarPV) 1–6. These CcarPV fall into two phylogenetically distinct genera: Lambdapapillomavirus, and Treisetapapillomavirus. Two or more PV types were identified in a single individual for three of the five caracals, and four caracals shared at least one of the same PV types with another caracal. This study broadens our understanding of wild felid PVs and provides evidence that there may be several wild felid PV lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Understanding the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is essential to cervical cancer prevention planning. We estimated HPV type-specific infection detection and clearance in young women. Methods The HPV Infection and Transmission among Couples through Heterosexual activity (HITCH) study is a prospective cohort of 502 college-age women who recently initiated a heterosexual relationship. We tested vaginal samples collected at 6 clinical visits over 24 months for 36 HPV types. Using rates and Kaplan-Meier analysis, we estimated time-to-event statistics with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for detection of incident infections and clearance of incident and present-at-baseline infections (separately). We conducted analyses at the woman- and HPV-levels, with HPV types grouped by phylogenetic relatedness. Results By 24 months, we detected incident infections in 40.4% (CI, 33.4%–48.4%) of women. Incident subgenus 1 (43.4; CI, 33.6–56.4), 2 (47.1; CI, 39.9–55.5), and 3 (46.6; CI, 37.7–57.7) infections cleared at similar rates per 1000 infection-months. We observed similar homogeny in HPV-level clearance rates among present-at-baseline infections. Conclusions Our analyses provide type-specific infection natural history estimates for cervical cancer prevention planning. HPV-level analyses did not clearly indicate that high oncogenic risk subgenus 2 infections persist longer than their low oncogenic risk subgenera 1 and 3 counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Couple-based studies have considered human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission between current heterosexual partners (male↔female). Using data from young women and their sequential male partners, we analysed HPV transmission from upstream sexual partnerships (male 1↔female) to downstream sex partners (→male 2). Among 502 females enrolled in the HPV Infection and Transmission among Couples through Heterosexual activity study (2005–2011, Montréal, Canada), 42 brought one male sex partner at baseline (male 1) and another during follow-up (male 2). Female genital samples, collected at six visits over 24 months, and male genital samples, collected at two visits over 4 months, were tested for 36 HPV types (n = 1512 detectable infections). We calculated observed/expected ratios with 95% CIs for type-specific HPV concordance between males 1 and 2. Using mixed-effects regression, we estimated ORs with 95% CIs for male 2 testing positive for the same HPV type as male 1. Detection of the same HPV type in males 1 and 2 occurred 2.6 (CI 1.9–3.5) times more often than chance (29 instances observed vs. 10.95 instances expected). The OR for male 2 positivity was 4.2 (CI 2.5–7.0). Adjusting for the number of times the linking female tested positive for the same HPV type attenuated the relationship between male 1 and 2 positivity, suggesting mediation. High type-specific HPV concordance between males 1 and 2 confirms HPV's transmissibility in chains of sequential sexual partnerships. HPV positivity in an upstream partnership predicted positivity in a downstream male when the linking female partner was persistently positive. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Papillomaviridae are a family of vertebrate-infecting viruses of oncogenic potential generally thought to be host species- and tissue-specific. Despite their phylogenetic relatedness to humans, there is a scarcity of data on papillomaviruses (PVs) in speciose non-human primate lineages, particularly the lemuriform primates. Varecia variegata (black-and-white ruffed lemurs) and Varecia rubra (red ruffed lemurs), two closely related species comprising the Varecia genus, are critically endangered with large global captive populations. Varecia variegata papillomavirus (VavPV) types −1 and −2, the first PVs in lemurs with a fully identified genome, were previously characterized from captive V. variegata saliva. To build upon this discovery, saliva samples were collected from captive V. rubra with the following aims: (1) to identify PVs shared between V. variegata and V. rubra and (2) to characterize novel PVs in V. rubra to better understand PV diversity in the lemuriform primates. Three complete PV genomes were determined from V. rubra samples. Two of these PV genomes share 98% L1 nucleotide identity with VavPV2, denoting interspecies infection of V. rubra by VavPV2. This work represents the first reported case of interspecies PV infection amongst the strepsirrhine primates. The third PV genome shares <68% L1 nucleotide identity with that of all PVs. Thus, it represents a new PV species and has been named Varecia rubra papillomavirus 1 (VarPV1). VavPV1, VavPV2, and VarPV1 form a new clade within the Papillomaviridae family, likely representing a novel genus. Future work diversifying sample collection (i.e., lemur host species from multiple genera, sample type, geographic location, and wild populations) is likely to uncover a world of diverse lemur PVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A major side effect of cervical excision for high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is premature birth. A non‐invasive treatment for reproductive age women is warranted. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of topical imiquimod in the treatment of high‐grade CIN, defined as a regression to ≤CIN 1, and to determine the clearance rate of high‐risk human papillomavirus (hr‐HPV), compared with surgical treatment and placebo. Methods: Databases were searched for articles from their inception to February 2023.The study protocol number was INPLASY2022110046. Original studies reporting the efficacy of topical imiquimod in CIN 2, CIN 3 or persistent hr‐HPV infections were included. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses checklist. Results: Five studies were included (n = 463). Histological regression to ≤CIN 1 was 55% in imiquimod versus 29% in placebo, and 93% in surgical treatment. Imiquimod‐treated women had a greater odds of histological regression to ≤CIN 1 than placebo (odds ratio [OR] 4.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.03–8.54). In comparison to imiquimod, surgical treatment had an OR of 14.81(95% CI 6.59–33.27) for histological regression to ≤CIN 1. The hr‐HPV clearance rate was 53.4% after imiquimod and 66% after surgical treatment (95% CI 0.62–23.77). Conclusions: The histological regression rate is highest for surgical treatment followed by imiquimod treatment and placebo. Synopsis: The histological regression rate is 55% for high‐grade CIN treated with imiquimod and significant side‐effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillomaviruses (PV) infect epithelial cells and can cause hyperplastic or neoplastic lesions. In felids, most described PVs are from domestic cats (Felis catus; n = 7 types), with one type identified in each of the five wild felid species studied to date (Panthera uncia, Puma concolor, Leopardus wiedii, Panthera leo persica and Lynx rufus). PVs from domestic cats are highly diverse and are currently classified into three genera (Lambdapapillomavirus, Dyothetapapillomavirus, and Taupapillomavirus), whereas those from wild felids, although diverse, are all classified into the Lambdapapillomavirus genus. In this study, we used a metagenomic approach to identify ten novel PV genomes from rectal swabs of five deceased caracals (Caracal caracal) living in the greater Cape Town area, South Africa. These are the first PVs to be described from caracals, and represent six new PV types, i.e., Caracal caracal papillomavirus (CcarPV) 1–6. These CcarPV fall into two phylogenetically distinct genera: Lambdapapillomavirus, and Treisetapapillomavirus. Two or more PV types were identified in a single individual for three of the five caracals, and four caracals shared at least one of the same PV types with another caracal. This study broadens our understanding of wild felid PVs and provides evidence that there may be several wild felid PV lineages.

Objectives: In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) updated its guidelines for cervical screening from cytology testing to primary high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) testing. This change in testing has effectively led to a 'new disease' as women are now aware of having a virus that induces changes that can cause cancer, which they would have been unaware of previously. While current management involves a 'watch and wait' approach and no active treatment, the anxiety associated with having HR-HPV may prompt some women to seek 'treatments' outside the screening programme. ● to identify potential treatment options available for women with persistent HR-HPV and/or low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), i.e. ≤CIN 1. ● to determine the clinical effectiveness of these treatments, namely by: ◦ HR-HPV clearance rate, and/or: ◦ CIN regression., Methods: We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. We included cohort studies and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only. Records (n = 2135) were screened in Rayyan by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment was conducted using the ROBINS-I tool and the ROB-2 tool., Results: 12 studies (four cohort studies and eight RCTs) were included: six oral medications, two topical medications, one vaccination, and three non-surgical device treatments. Meta-analysis revealed that some therapeutic interventions, including vaginal gels, photodynamic therapy, and some oral medications, may lead to earlier resolution of persistent HR-HPV and regression of low-grade CIN when compared with natural clearance., Conclusion: This review can better inform discussions with HR-HPV+ women and answer their questions about alternatives to surveillance., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and worldwide, with more than 42 million Americans infected with types of HPV that are known to cause disease. Although the link between HPV and the development of a variety of cancers has been strongly established, recent literature has demonstrated a potential association between HPV and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, despite plausible mechanisms for the development of cardiovascular disease with HPV infection, a causative relationship has yet to be firmly established, in part due to potential confounding risk factors between the two. In this 2-part series, we discuss the emerging relationship between HPV and cardiovascular disease. In part 1, we focus on the pathophysiology of HPV infection and potential mechanisms for the development of cardiovascular disease., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To describe longitudinal oral health symptom patterns of patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) and examine associations between phenotypic characteristics, including human papillomavirus (HPV) status and oral health symptoms., Sample & Setting: A pilot retrospective longitudinal chart review (N = 270) of patients with HNC at a northeastern U.S. regional cancer institute., Methods & Variables: HPV status and oral health symptoms (pain, mucositis, taste alteration, xerostomia, dysphagia, and candidiasis) were examined during treatment (six weeks) and survivorship (three months). Latent transition analysis was conducted across each time point., Results: The latent transition analysis revealed classes with moderate to high symptom expression persisted into survivorship. The HPV-negative phenotype had higher symptom expression across treatment and survivorship., Implications for Nursing: Patients with HPV-negative HNC may require early intervention, while considering social determinants of health to attenuate symptom expression and improve outcomes.

The development of cervical and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN and VaIN) is strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, representing key precancerous conditions in women. This study investigates the influence of different cervical treatment methods on the rate of subsequent vaginal neoplasia. It also considers age and menopausal status as risk factors for higher-grade VaIN and the role of persistent HPV infections in the development of new VaIN cases post-treatment. The cohort consisted of 275 female patients treated for CIN, with a follow-up period of six months including HPV and ThinPrep cytologic test (TCT) testing. The evaluated treatments included laser therapy, cervical conization, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), and radical hysterectomy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 to determine treatment efficacy, the impact of age and menopausal status, and the relationship between HPV clearance and VaIN outcomes. Radical hysterectomy was linked with a higher recurrence of VaIN. Additionally, patients over 50 years old and those who were postmenopausal were significantly more likely to develop more severe VaIN and persistent HPV infections. Persistence of HPV after treatment was linked to a higher incidence of new VaIN cases. High-risk HPV significantly increased the recurrence of VaIN, with no significant link found between TCT results and VaIN severity. Therefore, selecting appropriate cervical lesion treatment, considering the patient's age and menopausal status, and managing HPV infections are essential in preventing and managing the risk and progression of VaIN. Radical hysterectomy showed a distinct increase in VaIN incidence, emphasizing the need for individualized clinical assessments.

Background and Aims: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is widespread. The regional differences in infection rates and dominant HPV types are a significant aspect of the virus's epidemiological characteristics. In China, these differences are further influenced by the country's diverse ethnic composition, as well as varying economic and cultural conditions across regions. Additionally, factors such as population migration contribute to the exacerbation of these regional disparities in HPV infection rates., Methods: We conducted an analysis of the current prevalence of HPV among 108,863 patients in Chongqing from 2017 to 2022, along with an investigation into the interaction between HPV and vaginal microbiota. Additionally, we explored the relationship between HPV clearance time and disease outcomes., Results: Our findings revealed an overall HPV positive rate of 30.14% (32,813/108,863) in Chongqing, China. The top five HPV positive rates were as follows: HPV52 (7.78%), HPV16 (5.85%), HPV58 (4.41%), HPV53 (3.17%), and HPV39 (2.47%). The age-related trend of HPV infection exhibited a bimodal curve. Importantly, the positive rate of high-risk HPV (BV: 24.74%, AV: 24.38%, VVC: 18.19%, TV: 22.81%) was significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Follow-up for 4 years, we observed an overall clearance rate of HPV at 92.20%, with a median clearance time of 13 (1-61) months., Conclusion: These findings hold significant implications for the Chinese government in evaluating the prevalence of HPV in the Chongqing region and formulating effective HPV prevention strategies. Moreover, these findings could contribute to the enhancement of public health initiatives related to HPV in the region., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Herein, we evaluated the attributable fraction (AF) of human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated (HPV+) oropharyngeal carcinomas (OPCs) in Greece over a recent calendar period., Patients and Methods: ORPHEAS, a retrospective, observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study with prospective recruitment, included adult patients with OPC in 2017-2022, each of them with a high-quality, treatment-naïve tumor specimen. The primary endpoint was the HPV-AF, defined as combined positivity for p16 INK4a (p16) overexpression and HPV DNA presence by central laboratory testing, among included patients. Other endpoints evaluated the HPV+/HPV- patient/disease characteristics at OPC diagnosis and the HPV subtypes for HPV+ patients., Results: 144/147 patients with available HPV status by central laboratory testing were analyzed [median age: 60.0 years; males: 111 (77.1%)]. The most common tumor anatomical sites were the tonsils (70/147, 48.6%) and the base of the tongue (51, 35.4%), and most patients were at the American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stages III (25, 22.7%) and IV (43, 39.1%). The HPV-AF was 52.1% (75/144; 95% confidence interval 43.6% to 60.5%). Most HPV+ patients were infected by an HPV type targeted by the 9-valent HPV vaccine (72/75, 96.0%), especially HPV16 (70/75, 93.3%). HPV+ compared with HPV- patients were younger (median age 58.0 versus 64.0 years; P = 0.003); more likely to have tumors in the tonsils (65.0% versus 30.4%; P < 0.001); less likely to have tumors in the base of the tongue (25.3% versus 46.4%; P = 0.008); and less frequently at TNM stage IV (20.4% versus 57.1%; overall P < 0.001)., Conclusions: In Greece, we observed a high HPV-AF (52.1%) in OPC, approximating the AFs reported for some Northern European countries. HPV+ versus HPV- patients were younger, more frequently with tonsillar tumors, and less frequently at TNM stage IV. Since most patients were infected by ≥1 HPV type targeted by the 9-valent vaccine, the HPV+ OPC burden could be mitigated through a routine HPV gender-neutral vaccination program., (Copyright © 2024 Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA., The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The lifetime prevalence of human papillomavirus infection (HPV) is estimated to be around 80% and it is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Despite being well known for its oncologic relevance, it has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, though available evidence is contradicting. Previous meta-analyses involved articles which based HPV infection on Pap smear results, leading to a significant source of bias. Therefore, we aimed to assess the burden of genetically proven HPV infection on adverse pregnancy outcomes., Material and Methods: In our meta-analysis, pregnant women tested for HPV DNA were only considered eligible. We conducted a systematic search in three major databases (PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL) on September 22, 2023. Cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies were eligible for the analysis. The exposed group consisted of HPV-infected patients. We assessed the odds ratios (OR) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. In order to reduce the heterogeneity, we performed subgroup analyses based on different strains (high risk HPV, HPV 16/18, study design). The study was prospectively registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022370228)., Results: Our study involved 14 articles with 7008 women. A significant association was found between preterm delivery and HPV infection (OR: 1.94, CI: 1.31-2.87). No significant association was found when separately examining high-risk HPV-infected women (OR: 1.94, CI: 0.82-4.59), and HPV 16 or 18-infected women (OR: 2.08, CI: 0.50-8.63) in terms of preterm delivery. No significant association was found between spontaneous abortion and HPV infection (OR: 1.02, CI: 0.16-6.31)., Conclusions: Our analysis indicates an association between HPV infection and preterm delivery. It is imperative that future studies consider confounding variables more comprehensively. Additionally, the global implementation of HPV vaccination programs holds significance not only in oncology but also in obstetrics., (© 2024 The Author(s). Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (NFOG).)

Background: Worldwide, the incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is increasing. This increase has yet to be demonstrated in an Irish cohort., Aims: To evaluate the number of OPSCC presentations locally, to stratify cases by HPV status and to estimate if any changes in the patient population had occurred over a 10-year period., Methods: A STROBE-compliant, retrospective evaluation of patients with OPSCC at St James's Hospital between 2012 and 2022 was performed. Patients with non-SCC histology, undocumented HPV status and residual or recurrent tumours were excluded., Results: We included 294 patients with a mean age of 60.4 years (95% CI 59.2-61.5 years) and 175 (59.5%) patients had HPV+ OPSCC. The number of new OPSCC diagnoses increased from 115 patients (39.1%) between 2012 and 2016 to 179 patients (60.9%) between 2017 and 2021. This was associated with an increased proportion of HPV-linked OPSCC (50.4% 2012-2016 vs. 65.4% 2017-2021, p = 0.011). Over time, more patients had a functionally limiting comorbidity (p = 0.011). The mean age of HPV+ OPSCC cases increased by 3.6 years (p = 0.019). Patients with HPV+ OPSCC had greater 2-year OS (83.9% vs. 54.9%; p < 0.001) and 2-year DFS (73.5% vs. 45.6%; p < 0.001). The 2-year OS and DFS did not change over time for HPV+ or HPV- patients., Conclusions: In our institution, the number of patients with OPSCC is increasing due to an escalation in cases associated with HPV. Population-level interventions such as vaccination programs may alter the current increase in the incidence of these tumours., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This systematic review aims to determine whether the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) influences the immunohistochemical expression of programmed cell death-1 ligand (PD-L1) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). PD-L1 immunohistochemical expression varies in OPSCC, and the presence of HPV is a plausible explanation for this variability. Comprehending these findings is crucial, as high PD-L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment of OPSCC can help identify patient subgroups that could be suitable for immunotherapy. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines (CRD42023437800). An electronic literature search was performed without time or language restrictions. The search included PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, https://clinictrials.gov, and relevant journals. A meta-analysis was performed using RStudio. Fourteen studies involving 1,629 participants were included. The sample consisted predominantly of males (81.26%) with a mean age of 58.3 years. Concerning clinical and pathological characteristics, the most frequently described anatomical location was the tonsils (68.54%), and most participants were either current or former smokers (78%) and alcohol users (79%). Advanced TNM IV was the most common stage. Regarding histopathological characteristics, HPV 16 was the only type mentioned, and half of the cases were detected through immunohistochemistry. The SP142 clone (35.7%) and the pattern of membrane immunostaining in tumor cells (71%) were the most commonly employed methods. The most prevalent findings were positive expression of PD-L1 (64.28%) and negative HPV status (57.14%). The association between PD-L1 positivity and HPV positivity (78.57%) was confirmed by meta-analysis. The conclusion was that HPV-positive status has an impact on immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 in OPSCC.

Objective: To establish a human buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC) cell line SCC117 in China, analyze and identify its basic biological characteristics. Methods: A 59-year-old Chinese male patient with BMSCC in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology in January 2011 was included in this study, his surgical specimens were primary cultured in vitro by improved tissue block culture method. The BMSCC cell line SCC117 was established after continuous passage and stable growth. The morphological characteristics of the cells were observed by light and electron microscope, and their basic biological characteristics were analyzed by growth curve, chromosome karyotype and xenotransplantation tumorigenicity in nude mice experiment. The expressions of cytokeratin (CK14), tumor-related proteins retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB), P53, E-cadherin, P21, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) were detected by immunohistochemical and human papilloma virus (HPV) were tested by PCR. SCC117 was identified by short tandem repeat (STR) analysis of genomic DNA. Results: SCC117, a human BMSCC cell line, had been continuously subcultured in vitro for more than 150 generations. The cells grew in polygonal mosaic and lost contact inhibition, the typical desmosomes and tensional fibrils were observed by electron microscope, and CK14 was positive by immunohistochemistry. The doubling time was 40.16 h, the chromosome mode of the cell line was concentrated between 67 and 69, hypo-triploid. All 4 nude mice inoculated with SCC117 cells developed tumors, indicating that the SCC117 cell line had the ability of xenogeneic tumorigenesis. The histopathological type of the transplanted tumor in nude mice was consistent with that of the primary tumor tissue, both of which were squamous cell carcinoma. The immunohistochemical results showed that in both human primary tumor and the transplanted tumor tissue in nude mice, RB, P53, and E-cadherin were all positive, P21 was weakly positive, while PTEN was negative. SCC117 was tested negative for the presence of HPV. STR sequence analysis showed that SCC117 cell line originated from primary tumor tissue and was not cross-contaminated by other cell lines. Conclusions: The human BMSCC cell line SCC117 was successfully established in China, which could provide a new experimental model for the study of oral SCC without HPV infection, especially BMSCC.

Warts, Hypogammaglobulinemia, Infections, and Myelokathexis (WHIM) syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease in humans caused by a gain of function in CXCR4, mostly due to inherited heterozygous mutations in CXCR4. One major clinical symptom of WHIM patients is their high susceptibility to human papillomavirus (HPV) induced disease, such as warts. Persistent high risk HPV infections cause 5% of all human cancers, including cervical, anogenital, head and neck and some skin cancers. WHIM mice bearing the same mutation identified in WHIM patients were created to study the underlying causes for the symptoms manifest in patients suffering from the WHIM syndrome. Using murine papillomavirus (MmuPV1) as an infection model in mice for HPV-induced disease, we demonstrate that WHIM mice are more susceptible to MmuPV1-induced warts (papillomas) compared to wild type mice. Namely, the incidence of papillomas is higher in WHIM mice compared to wild type mice when mice are exposed to low doses of MmuPV1. MmuPV1 infection facilitated both myeloid and lymphoid cell mobilization in the blood of wild type mice but not in WHIM mice. Higher incidence and larger size of papillomas in WHIM mice correlated with lower abundance of infiltrating T cells within the papillomas. Finally, we demonstrate that transplantation of bone marrow from wild type mice into WHIM mice normalized the incidence and size of papillomas, consistent with the WHIM mutation in hematopoietic cells contributing to higher susceptibility of WHIM mice to MmuPV1-induced disease. Our results provide evidence that MmuPV1 infection in WHIM mice is a powerful preclinical infectious model to investigate treatment options for alleviating papillomavirus infections in WHIM syndrome., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are well-known causative agents of several cancers, yet selective therapies remain under investigation. Nanoparticles, for instance, are emerging as promising solutions to enhance the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic approaches. Despite the increasing number of nanotherapies offering advantages over current treatments, only one has advanced to clinical trials. This review highlights recent advances in nanotherapies for HPV-associated cancers, focusing on the delivery of small molecules, gene-targeted therapies, and vaccines. Some of the challenges faced in nanotherapies translation for clinical application are discussed, emphasizing the most used preclinical models that fail to accurately predict human responses, thereby hindering proper evaluation of nanotherapies. Additionally, we explore and discuss alternative promising new preclinical models that could pave the way for more effective nanotherapeutic evaluations., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: High-grade Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (HGEOC) is an aggressive disease that usually presents at an advanced stage. Thus, detecting the circulating cytokines (IFNγ and TNF-α) may serve as a biomarker to identify malignancy and manage therapeutic decisions., Objectives: Assessing the clinical importance of inflammatory mediators and tumor markers in EOC Egyptian patients compared with benign cases. Moreover, identifying the distinct inflammatory mediators in EOC patients combined with HPV infection., Methods: This study was conducted on 61 Egyptian patients, divided into 25 patients with HGEOC, 22 patients with LGEOC, and 14 benign ovarian tumor cases. Measurements of serum HE4, CA125, CEA, and CA19-9 were determined by Roche Elecsys immunoassays. Serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ were measured using quantitative sandwich ELISA. Quantitative genotyping of HPV DNA types 16, 18, and 45 was assessed for the HPV DNA-positive samples., Results: HPV DNA was detected in 25.53 % of malignant cases, HPV 16 was detected in 50 % of HPV-positive cases, and only 1 case of HPV 18 was detected out of 12 positive cases. The Human Epididymis protein 4 (HE4) was statistically different between patients with EOC and benign cases (p-value = 0.007) and between HPV DNA positive and HPV DNA negative cases (p-value = 0.008). The serum levels of IFN- γ were statistically different between HGEOC and LGEOC (p-value < 0.001), while the serum levels of TNF-α didn't differ statistically between the two groups., Conclusion: IFN-γ could be used as a biomarker to discriminate HGEOC and LGEOC. Initial evidence for the possible association between HE4 and the progression of HPV-associated EOC was speculated., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cervical cancer disproportionately affects those who are underscreened. Human papillomavirus self-collection is a promising tool to expand screening., Objective: Study objectives were to examine 1) factors (provider characteristics and practice type) associated with and 2) attitudes (perceived benefits and concerns) toward using human papillomavirus self-collection for cervical cancer screening in clinical practice., Methods: This study had a mixed method design; prior to regulatory approval of self-collection, we conducted a national survey and interviews of health care providers who perform cervical cancer screening. Quantitative measures included provider and practice characteristics, willingness to recommend, and preferences related to self-collection. Qualitative interviews further elucidated provider perspectives., Results: A total of 1,251 providers completed surveys, and 56 completed interviews. Among survey respondents, 33.4% reported they were likely to offer self-collection, 28.6% were unsure, and 38.0% reported they were unlikely. Most would offer self-collection either in the clinic or at home per patient preference. Male participants, advanced practice providers, internal and family physicians, and those practicing in academic medical center, hospital, or community health settings were more likely than female participants, obstetrician-gynecologist physicians, and those in private practice to indicate they were likely to offer self-collection. Concerns expressed in both surveys and interviews included the adequacy of sample collection and the ability to follow up. Respondents felt that self-collection would be particularly beneficial for those who did not have access to clinician-collected screening, as well as for patients who may have difficulty with pelvic examinations for any reason., Conclusion: Providers considered human papillomavirus self-collection to be a way to expand access for patients with health care barriers and pelvic examination difficulties. They had concerns related to sample adequacy and follow-up after abnormal results., (Copyright © 2024 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, George Washington University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is threatening human health as it spreads globally in varying degrees. On the other hand, the speed and scope of information transmission continues to increase, as well as the significant increase in the number of HPV-related news reports, it has never been more important to explore the role of media news coverage in the spread and control of the virus. Using a decreasing factor that captures the impact of media on the actions of people, this paper develops a model that characterizes the dynamics of HPV transmission with media impact, vaccination and recovery. We obtain global stability of equilibrium points employing geometric method, and further yield effective methods to contain the HPV pandemic by sensitivity analysis. With the center manifold theory, we show that there is a forward bifurcation when R 0 =1. Our study suggested that, besides controlling contact between infected and susceptible populations and improving effective vaccine coverage, a better intervention would be to strengthen media coverage. In addition, we demonstrated that contact rate and the effect of media coverage result in multiple epidemics of infection when certain conditions are met, implying that interventions need to be tailored to specific situations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Self-collected testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) is poised to transform cervical cancer screening. Self-tests demonstrate similar accuracy to clinician-collected tests, but for the half a million women served by the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and their clinicians, self-collected cervical cancer screening would be a new practice. We examined VA patient and staff perspectives to inform future implementation., Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted between 2021 and 2022 with female veterans receiving VA care (n = 22) and VA women's health nurses, clinicians, and administrators (n = 27). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interview questions addressed knowledge and interest, potential advantages or disadvantages, and any questions participants had about self-collected screening. Responses were analyzed using rapid qualitative methods., Main Findings: Five overarching themes were identified. Both patients and staff indicated high interest and enthusiasm for self-collected HPV testing, tempered by questions about test accuracy and logistical considerations. Familiarity with self-testing for other conditions such as colon-cancer screening or COVID made self-collection seem like a simple, convenient option. However, self-testing was not viewed as a good fit for all patients, and concerns about lost opportunities or missed incidental lesions were raised. Patients and staff described challenges with pelvic examinations for patients with past sexual trauma, particularly in the male-dominated VA environment. Pelvic exams can leave patients feeling vulnerable and exposed; self-collected testing was seen as a mechanism for patient empowerment., Principal Conclusions: Veteran patients and VA staff shared common perspectives about potential advantages and disadvantages of self-collected HPV testing. Self-collected HPV testing has the potential to improve trauma-informed preventive health care for veterans., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause most cases of cervical cancer, a disease with an increasing impact worldwide. Recent studies have shown that the synthesis of viral oncoproteins is strongly subject to translational control. Thus, targeting the protein synthesis machinery might open novel avenues to develop innovative therapies aiming to improve patients' survival., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC) is a recently described neoplasm entity that presents only in the sinonasal tract. Histologically, it displays features of both a surface-derived carcinoma and a salivary gland carcinoma, and is associated with high-risk HPV, specifically HPV type 33. Whereas majority of the cases display high-grade histologic features, HMSC paradoxically behaves in a relatively indolent fashion. It is important and meaningful to distinguish HMSC from other histopathologic mimickers as the clinical features and management are distinctive. A 64-year-old woman presented having intermittent left-side epistaxis and progressive nasal obstruction. A well-defined, solitary, friable mass with an irregular surface that easily bled upon contact was found in the posterior part of the left nasal cavity. Endoscopic excision of the tumor which was originated from left nasal septum was done and the tumor was confirmed as HMSC. After surgery, definitive radiotherapy was performed in 28 fractions. HMSC is a histopathological type that has been rarely reported so that we report this case with literature review., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Papillomaviruses (family Papillomaviridae) are non-enveloped, circular, double-stranded DNA viruses known to infect squamous and mucosal epithelial cells. In the family Papillomaviridae there are 53 genera and 133 viral species whose members infect a variety of mammalian, avian, reptilian, and fish species. Within the Antarctic context, papillomaviruses (PVs) have been identified in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae, 2 PVs), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii, 7 PVs), and emerald notothen (Trematomus bernacchii, 1 PV) in McMurdo Sound and Ross Island in eastern Antarctica. Here we identified 13 diverse PVs from buccal swabs of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella, 2 PVs) and leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx, 3 PVs) in western Antarctica (Antarctic Peninsula), and vaginal and nasal swabs of Weddell seals (8 PVs) in McMurdo Sound. These PV genomes group into four genera representing 11 new papillomavirus types, of which five are from two Antarctic fur seals and a leopard seal and six from Weddell seals. • 2 papillomaviruses identified in two individual Antarctic fur seals. • 3 papillomaviruses identified in a Leopard seal. • 8 papillomaviruses identified in virginal and nasal swabs of five Weddell seals. • 11 new papillomavirus types identified in 3 species of Antarctic pinnipeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the introduction of Pap testing for screening to prevent cervical cancer in the mid-20th century, cervical cancer remains a common cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity globally. This is primarily due to differences in access to screening and care between low-income and high-income resource settings, resulting in cervical cancer being one of the cancers with the greatest health disparity. The discovery of human papillomavirus (HPV) as the near-obligate viral cause of cervical cancer can revolutionize how it can be prevented: HPV vaccination against infection for prophylaxis and HPV testing-based screening for the detection and treatment of cervical pre-cancers for interception. As a result of this progress, the World Health Organization has championed the elimination of cervical cancer as a global health problem. However, unless research, investments, and actions are taken to ensure equitable global access to these highly effective preventive interventions, there is a real threat to exacerbating the current health inequities in cervical cancer. In this review, the progress to date and the challenges and opportunities for fulfilling the potential of HPV-targeted prevention for global cervical cancer control are discussed.

R-loops are trimeric nucleic acid structures that form when an RNA molecule hybridizes with its complementary DNA strand, displacing the opposite strand. These structures regulate transcription as well as replication, but aberrant R-loops can form, leading to DNA breaks and genomic instability if unresolved. R-loop levels are elevated in many cancers as well as cells that maintain high-risk human papillomaviruses. We investigated how the distribution as well as function of R-loops changed between normal keratinocytes and HPV positive cells derived from a precancerous lesion of the cervix (CIN I). The levels of R-loops associated with cellular genes were found to be up to 10-fold higher in HPV positive cells than in normal keratinocytes while increases at ALU1 elements increased by up to 500-fold. The presence of enhanced R-loops resulted in altered levels of gene transcription, with equal numbers increased as decreased. While no uniform global effects on transcription due to the enhanced levels of R-loops were detected, genes in several pathways were coordinately increased or decreased in expression only in the HPV positive cells. This included the downregulation of genes in the innate immune pathway, such as DDX58, IL-6, STAT1, IFN-β, and NLRP3. All differentially expressed innate immune genes dependent on R-loops were also associated with H3K36me3 modified histones. Genes that were upregulated by the presence of R-loops in HPV positive cells included those in the DNA damage repair such as ATM, ATRX, and members of the Fanconi Anemia pathway. These genes exhibited a linkage between R-loops and H3K36me3 as well as γH2AX histone marks only in HPV positive cells. These studies identify a potential link in HPV positive cells between DNA damage repair as well as innate immune regulatory pathways with R-loops and γH2AX/H3K36me3 histone marks that may contribute to regulating important functions for HPV pathogenesis., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Templeton, Laimins. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)+ oropharynx cancer (OPC) has a more favorable prognosis than HPV-negative disease, but the impact of specific HPV genotype and phylogenic clade on patient outcomes is not well understood and has profound implications for treatment de-intensification., Methods: The objective of this single-institution cohort study was to investigate the association of HPV genotype (16 vs high-risk non-16) and clade (A9 vs A7) with OPC outcomes. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in patients with M0 disease treated with curative intent., Results: The cohort included 598 patients (87% HPV16, 98% A9). Compared to those with HPV16 OPC, individuals with non-HPV16 OPC had a higher age, comorbidity index, and proportion of non-whites, HIV+ patients, T4 tumors, and stage IV disease (AJCC 7th edition). Non-HPV16 genotype was associated with worse OS in univariate (HR = 2.17, 95% CI, 1.24-3.80, P = .0066), but not in multivariate analysis (HRadj = 0.84, 95% CI, 0.43-1.62, P = .5921). A7 clade was associated with worse OS in univariate (HR = 4.42, 95% CI, 1.60-12.30, P = .0041), but not in multivariate analysis (HRadj = 2.39, 95% CI, 0.57-9.99, P = .2325). Neither HPV genotype (HR = 1.60, 95% CI, 0.99-2.60, P = .0566) nor phylogenic clade (HR = 2.47, 95% CI, 0.91-6.72, P = .0761) was associated with EFS., Conclusion: Non-HPV16 genotype and A7 clade were associated with worse OS and trended toward worse EFS in univariate analyses. The survival differences were more pronounced by phylogenic clade than by HPV16 status, suggesting that the former may be a more useful classification for future studies. However, neither HPV16 status nor phylogenic clade was prognostic when adjusting for patient and tumor covariates, raising the question as to whether possible differences in outcomes are related to distinct clinical profiles rather than inherent viral properties., (Published by Oxford University Press 2024. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.)

Background: Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in Europe. Effective introduction and scaling up of human papillomavirus (HPV) detection-based cervical cancer screening (CCS) requires a systematic assessment of health systems capacity. However, there is no validated capacity assessment methodology for CCS programmes, especially in European contexts. Addressing this gap, our study introduces an innovative and adaptable protocol for evaluating the capacity of CCS programmes across varying European health system settings., Methods: Our research team developed a three-step capacity assessment framework, incorporating a health policy review checklist, a facility visit survey, and key informants' interview guide followed by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis. Piloting this comprehensive approach, we explored the CCS capacity in three countries: Estonia, Portugal and Romania. These countries were selected due to their contrasting healthcare structures and resources, providing a diverse overview of the European context., Results: Conducted over a period of 9 months, the capacity assessment covered multiple resources, 27 screening centres, 16 colposcopy and treatment centres and 15 key informant interviews. Our analysis highlighted both shared and country-specific challenges. A key common issue was ensuring high compliance to follow-up and management of screen-positive women. We identified considerable heterogeneity in resources and organization across the three countries, underscoring the need for tailored, rather than one-size-fits-all, solutions., Conclusions: Our study's novelty lies in the successful development of this capacity assessment methodology implementable within a relatively short time frame, proving its feasibility for use in various contexts and countries. The resulting set of materials, adaptable to different cancer types, is a ready-to-use toolkit to improve cancer screening processes and outcomes. This research marks a significant stride towards comprehensive capacity assessment for CCS programmes in Europe. Future directions include deploying these tools in other countries and cancer types, thereby contributing to the global fight against cancer., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Juvenile- and adult-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP and AORRP) are rare but serious conditions that are caused by oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. The proliferation of wart-like growths throughout the respiratory tract can result in medical problems, including death. The current treatment scheme is surgery, though prevention of HPV infection through vaccination is available. A previously developed model for JORRP and AORRP was adapted to the United States using data on disease burden and HPV infection. The model was validated against post-vaccination reductions in disease and used to forecast the future burden of JORRP and AORRP, estimating the impact that HPV vaccination will have on these diseases. Between 2007 (the beginning of HPV vaccination in the US) and 2021, this model estimates that approximately 1393 lives, 22,867 Quality-Adjusted-Life-Years, and over USD 672 million in treatment costs have been saved by HPV vaccination. There is also a substantial reduction in JORRP and AORRP burden, with a 95% reduction in incidence by 2040. Moreover, between 2040 and 2121, the model predicts 3-11 total cases of HPV6/11-related JORRP in the US, and 36-267 total cases of HPV6/11-related AORRP. HPV vaccination in the United States has driven, and will continue to drive, substantial reductions in the public health and economic burden of HPV6/11-related JORRP and AORRP.

Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Improving knowledge and attitude is the key to controlling and preventing, but women's knowledge about this virus is not enough. This study aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention based on planned behavior theory on knowledge and attitude toward HPV and its vaccination in women of reproductive age. The study was a single-blind, randomized clinical trial study with a control group was done in 2022, which was conducted on 85 women referred to selected comprehensive health centers in Shiraz, Iran. In this study, the sampling was performed is a multi-stage random way. Eighty-three women who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into two intervention and control groups. The data collection tool was the knowledge and attitude questionnaire about HPV and its vaccine, which was confirmed to be valid and reliable. Data analysis was performed with descriptive and analytic statistics at a significance level of P < 0.05 with SPSS (22) software. The results showed that the educational intervention has caused a significant increase in the components of knowledge, attitude, social norms, perceived behavior control, and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine in the intervention group. So that in both stages after the intervention, there was a significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in the studied components (P < 0.05). The educational intervention based on the planned behavior theory significantly affected the knowledge, attitude, social norms, and intention for HPV vaccination in women of reproductive age. Therefore, educational intervention recommended as awareness-raising programs and strategies for women.Trial registration: (RCT code: IRCT20220131053891N1). First Registration date: 28/04/2022., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background and Objectives : Persistent high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancers in the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx. A lack of knowledge about HPV can lead to vaccine hesitancy, which is detrimental to combating HPV-related diseases. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an HPV educational intervention to enhance university students' awareness of HPV. Materials and Methods : We conducted a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test study on male and female college students from the College of Applied Medical Science and the College of Nursing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at King Saud University. Data were collected from May 2023 to March 2024. The first section of the survey assessed sociodemographic factors, and the second section measured knowledge regarding HPV. Results : A total of 271 students completed the surveys, with 71 males (26.2%) and 200 females (73.8%) participating. Students aged 22 years or older had better HPV awareness. Gender significantly predicts HPV awareness, with female students being four times more likely to be aware of HPV compared to male students. After the educational intervention, significant improvements in HPV knowledge were observed in all items ( p -values < 0.0001) and across all demographic groups. Misconceptions about HPV were corrected, and the overall knowledge score increased from 29.3% to 82.0%. Conclusions : Our results suggest that similar interventions could benefit other populations in the kingdom, potentially increasing vaccination rates.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has become an important etiological driver of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), leading to unique tumor characteristics. However, the interplay between HPV-associated tumor cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) remains an enigma., Methods: We performed a single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) on HPV-positive (HPV + ) and HPV-negative (HPV ‒ ) OPSCC tumors, each for three samples, and one normal tonsil tissue. Ex vivo validation assays including immunofluorescence staining, cell line co-culture, and flow cytometry analysis were used to test specific subtypes of HPV + tumor cells and their communications with T cells., Results: Through a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome analysis, we uncover the distinct transcriptional signatures between HPV + and HPV ‒ OPSCC. Specifically, HPV + OPSCC tumor cells manifest an enhanced interferon response and elevated expression of the major histocompatibility complex II (MHC-II), potentially bolstering tumor recognition and immune response. Furthermore, we identify a CXCL13 + CD4 + T cell subset that exhibits dual features of both follicular and pro-inflammatory helper T cells. Noteworthily, HPV + OPSCC tumor cells embrace extensive intercellular communications with CXCL13 + CD4 + T cells. Interaction with HPV + OPSCC tumor cells amplifies CXCL13 and IFNγ release in CD4 + T cells, fostering a pro-inflammatory TME. Additionally, HPV + tumor cells expressing high MHC-II and CXCL13 + CD4 + T cell prevalence are indicative of favorable overall survival rates in OPSCC patients., Conclusions: Together, our study underscores a synergistic inflammatory immune response orchestrated by highly immunogenic tumor cells and CXCL13 + CD4 + T cells in HPV + OPSCC, offering useful insights into strategy development for patient stratification and effective immunotherapy in OPSCC., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Cervical cancer, predominantly caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), is a major health challenge in India, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Given India's vast geographic and socio-economic diversity, understanding regional variations in HPV prevalence is crucial for developing targeted and effective public health interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to elucidate the prevalence of HPV among cervical cancer patients in India., Methods: A literature search was executed across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to December 07, 2023. Observational studies reporting HPV prevalence among cervical cancer patients in India are included. A Modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to determine pooled HPV prevalence, and heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess result stability and investigate heterogeneity sources. All statistical analyses were performed using R software version 4.3., Results: The meta-analysis included 17 studies with a total of 2529 cervical cancer cases, of which 1977 were HPV-positive. The pooled HPV prevalence was 85% (95% CI: 71-92%), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 94%). Subgroup analysis by geographic zones showed notable differences: South (88%, 95% CI: 76-95%), North (73%, 95% CI: 1-100%), East (99%, 95% CI: 1-100%), Central (71%, 95% CI: 54-84%), and West (77%, 95% CI: 0-100%). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the consistency of the results, and a reanalysis, excluding influential studies, yielded a prevalence of 82% (95% CI: 67-91%)., Conclusion: Our analysis reveals a high prevalence of HPV in cervical cancer patients in India, with significant regional variations. The observed heterogeneity highlights the complexity of HPV epidemiology in India and necessitates further research to explore underlying causes and regional characteristics. Future studies should aim to expand geographic representation and deepen understanding of the factors contributing to the variability in HPV prevalence., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

The optimal treatment of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently a subject of clinical research. This questionnaire study investigated current trends in the treatment of HPV-associated (HPV+) OPC in Slovakia with the incorporation of deintensification of oncological treatment into routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials. The Slovak Cooperative Head and Neck Cancer Group (SCHNCG) developed a questionnaire aimed at identifying trends in the oncological treatment of HPV+ OPC intended for all radiation oncology (RO) facilities in Slovakia. Specialists in the field of RO responded to general questions about the character of their individual institutions as well as to 4 theoretical clinical scenarios (case reports) regarding the treatment of HPV+ OPC, focusing primarily on the applied dose of radiotherapy (RT), the extent of target volumes, and the type of concurrent chemotherapy (CHT). The questionnaire study involved 35 RO specialists from 14 institutions in Slovakia. Regarding primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in T1N1M0 HPV+ OPC, 16 respondents (45.7%) would consider de-escalation of the RT dose to <70 Gy. In the case of postoperative RT in pT1pN1M0 HPV+ OPC with negative resection margins (R0) and absent extracapsular extension (ECE), 4 physicians (11.4%) would consider de-escalation of the RT dose to <60 Gy in the tumor bed area, while the majority of the treating specialists (n=19, 54.3%) would omit concurrent CHT. In the case of primary RT in elderly patient with T2N1M0 HPV+ OPC, the same number of physicians (n=16, 45.7%) would consider de-escalation of the RT dose to <70 Gy, and 14 respondents (40.0%) would completely omit CHT. In a high-risk patient with T2N3M0 HPV+ OPC with a complete response after 3 cycles of induction chemotherapy (iCHT), none of the respondents would indicate a reduction in the RT dose to the area of the original tumor and lymphadenopathy to <60 Gy. The doses and extent of irradiated volumes in the treatment of HPV+ OPC in Slovakia vary among different institutions. The tendency to de-escalate RT doses and reduce doses of concurrent systemic therapy in Slovakia is high and there was also an observed trend to reduce the extent of radiation treatment fields.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is strongly associated with cervical cancer with almost all cases being associated with the infection. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women in Zambia and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. However, there is limited data on the burden and associated factors of HPV in sub-Saharan Africa. This study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of HPV infection in the Southern province of Zambia., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) among 4,612 women from different districts of the southern province being screened for HPV infection between September 2021 and August 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected from an existing laboratory programmatic database. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the factors associated with HPV infection., Results: The study participants had a median age of 39 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30, 47]. The prevalence of HPV infection was 35.56% (95%CI). At multivariable analysis, the factors associated with a positive HPV result were younger age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98-0.99; p. value 0.001), having provider collected sample (AOR 2.15; 95%CI 1.66-2.79; p. value <0.001) and living with HIV (AOR 1.77; 95%CI 1.22-2.55; p. value <0.002)., Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV in women in the southern province of Zambia is high, and likely influenced by age and HIV status. Additionally, the outcome of the HPV test is affected by the sample collection method. Therefore, there is a necessity to enhance HPV and cervical cancer screening, especially among people with HIV., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Muchaili et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)