Cervicovaginal Microbiome Factors in Clearance of Human Papillomavirus Infection

Wenkui Dai; Hui Du; Shuaicheng Li; Ruifang Wu

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.722639

Cervicovaginal Microbiome Factors in Clearance of Human Papillomavirus Infection

Front Oncol. 2021 Jul 28:11:722639. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.722639. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Wenkui Dai^{1

2

3}, Hui Du^{1

2

3}, Shuaicheng Li⁴, Ruifang Wu^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
² Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (PKU-HKUST) Medical Center, Shenzhen, China.
³ Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecologic Diseases, Shenzhen, China.
⁴ Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is the highest risk to cervical cancer which is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. A growing body of literatures demonstrate the role of cervicovaginal microbiome (CVM) in hrHPV susceptibility and clearance, suggesting the promise of CVM-targeted interventions in protecting against or eliminating HPV infection. Nevertheless, the CVM-HPV-host interactions are largely unknown. In this review, we summarize imbalanced CVM in HPV-positive women, with or without cervical diseases, and the progress of exploring CVM resources in HPV clearance. In addition, microbe- and host-microbe interactions in HPV infection and elimination are reviewed to understand the role of CVM in remission of HPV infection. Lastly, the feasibility of CVM-modulated and -derived products in promoting HPV clearance is discussed. Information in this article will provide valuable reference for researchers interested in cervical cancer prevention and therapy.

Keywords: CVM-derived product; CVM-targeted intervention; HPV clearance; cervical cancer; high-risk HPV.

Publication types

Review