The oncogenic potential of human papillomavirus (HPV) has been widely acknowledged in relation to multiple types of cancer. The objective of this investigation was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the available evidence pertaining to the correlation between HPV and various types of cancer, such as cervical, colon, ovarian, and head and neck cancers, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were complied with to conduct a systematic literature search aimed at identifying studies that explore the correlation between HPV and the specified cancers. Databases such as Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library were queried up until May of 2023. Relevant literature was obtained, information was extracted, and the methodological rigor was evaluated. The high-risk HPV, namely HPV-16 and HPV-18, were detected as the most prevalent variants in KSA. A significant proportion of cervical cancer cases in the region were found to be associated HPV infection. The molecular tests have furnished evidence that establishes a connection between HPV infection and colonic polyps as well as colorectal cancer. This finding suggests that HPV may have a plausible role in the etiology of these medical conditions. The results of genotyping and integration analyses suggest a probable correlation between HPV and the development of ovarian cancer. Additionally, the prevalence of head and neck squamous cell cancer related to HPV was notably reduced in this particular geographical area. This study presents persuasive findings that establish a connection between HPV and cervical cancer and proposes plausible correlations with squamous cell carcinomas in the colon, ovaries, and head and neck. The aforementioned results emphasize the necessity for additional inquiry into the function of HPV in the onset and advancement of said malignancies. Further investigations are necessary to augment our comprehension of the role of HPV in these neoplasms.
Keywords: cervical cancer; colon cancer; head and neck cancer; human papillomavirus (hpv); ovarian cancer.
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