Association between Cervical Microbiota and HPV: Could This Be the Key to Complete Cervical Cancer Eradication?

Abstract

The heterogeneity of the cervico-vaginal microbiota can be appreciated in various conditions, both pathological and non-pathological, and can vary according to biological and environmental factors. Attempts are still in course to define the interaction and role of the various factors that constitute this community of commensals in immune protection, inflammatory processes, and the onset of precancerous lesions of the cervical epithelium. Despite the many studies on the relationship between microbiota, immunity, and HPV-related cervical tumors, further aspects still need to be probed. In this review article, we will examine the principal characteristics of microorganisms commonly found in cervico-vaginal specimens (i) the factors that notoriously condition the diversity and composition of microbiota, (ii) the role that some families of organisms may play in the onset of HPV-dysplastic lesions and in neoplastic progression, and (iii) possible diagnostic-therapeutic approaches.

“Intestinal-Type” Vulvar Adenocarcinoma: A Review of the MITO Rare Tumors Group

“…Indeed, vulvar region represents an anatomical district exposed to several environmental insults such as opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections, UV radiation and physical damage [ 33 ]. Other specific risk factors that could be connected to the development of vulvar carcinoma, comprise vulvar dystrophies, such as lichen sclerosis, smoking, and HPV infection [ 34 ], as well as in other carcinomas [ 19 , 25 , 35 ]. Various experiences concerning the relationship between HPV and vulvar lesions are reported [ 25 , 29 ].…”

“…Other specific risk factors that could be connected to the development of vulvar carcinoma, comprise vulvar dystrophies, such as lichen sclerosis, smoking, and HPV infection [ 34 ], as well as in other carcinomas [ 19 , 25 , 35 ]. Various experiences concerning the relationship between HPV and vulvar lesions are reported [ 25 , 29 ]. On the other hand, data about the role of HPV in VAIt etiopathogenesis has not been clearly discovered yet [ 32 ].…”

Lactobacillus crispatus M247 oral administration: Is it really an effective strategy in the management of papillomavirus-infected women?

“…These results are different from the others of previous studies, which report a greater persistence of HPV 16 and 18 [ 44 ]. Furthermore, the evaluation of demographic-behavioral characteristics in association with HPV clearance would require a multivariate statistical analysis that could be pursued in the future, favoring the identification of a targeted and personalized treatment [ 45 ].…”

Nutrition as Personalized Medicine against SARS-CoV-2 Infections: Clinical and Oncological Options with a Specific Female Groups Overview

“…Furthermore, natural hepcidin inducers are also present in fruits and vegetables [ 193 ]. Finally, interesting approaches could also be described in the future regarding the relationship between COVID-19, nutrition, and changes in the intestinal and vaginal microbiota [ 118 ].…”

“…The different female carcinomas [ 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ] can influence nutritional status, with weight loss seen in 30–80% of early cases (observed in the 6 months prior to diagnosis) and correlated with the stage of the disease. Weight loss and malnutrition are the result of a reduction in food intake, in the presence of symptoms such as mycosis of the oral cavity, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, and dysgeusia related both to the site of the tumor and to specific treatments; undernutrition and loss of weight and muscle mass can lead to a greater risk of chemotherapy toxicity, while in other cases anticancer therapies and chemotherapy can lead to weight gain resulting in excess malnutrition, and then overweight/obesity, which represent risk factors for metabolic syndrome.…”