Rancés Blanco

HPV and HCMV in Cervical Cancer: A Review of Their Co-Occurrence in Premalignant and Malignant Lesions

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. While persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is essential for cervical cancer development, it is not sufficient on its own, suggesting the involvement of additional cofactors. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread β-herpesvirus known for its ability to establish lifelong latency and reactivate under certain conditions, often contributing to chronic inflammation and immune modulation. Emerging evidence suggests that HCMV may play a role in various cancers, including cervical cancer, through its potential to influence oncogenic pathways and disrupt host immune responses. This review explores clinical evidence regarding the co-presence of HR-HPV and HCMV in premalignant lesions and cervical cancer. The literature reviewed indicates that HCMV is frequently detected in cervical lesions, particularly in those co-infected with HPV, suggesting a potential synergistic interaction that could enhance HPV’s oncogenic effects, thereby facilitating the progression from low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and invasive cancer. Although the precise molecular mechanisms were not thoroughly investigated in this review, the clinical evidence suggests the importance of considering HCMV alongside HPV in the management of cervical lesions. A better understanding of the interaction between HR-HPV and HCMV may lead to improved diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies for cervical cancer.

Prevalence of Torque Teno Virus (TTV) in Cervical Precursor Lesions and Cancer in Chilean Women

Torque teno virus (TTV) is a highly prevalent DNA virus in humans, but its role in carcinogenesis is not well understood. While human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-established etiological agent in cervical cancer, co-infections with other viruses such as Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) or TTV may influence disease progression. We conducted a cross-sectional study using 94 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cervical tissue samples. These specimens were collected from women with cervical intraepithelial lesions (CINI-III) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile. After extracting DNA, we screened for TTV using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test. Of the 94 samples, 83 were positive for the human β-globin gene and included in the final analysis. TTV was detected in 12.0% (10/83) of these samples. Among the TTV-positive cases, the virus was most frequently detected in high-grade lesions (70.0%), followed by low-grade lesions (20.0%) and squamous cell carcinoma (10.0%). However, these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.688). This is the first study to assess TTV prevalence in cervical lesions among Chilean women. Although we found no statistically significant associations, a higher frequency of TTV was detected in precursor lesions compared to SCC. Further studies are needed to understand the potential immunomodulatory role of TTV in cervical carcinogenesis.