Serological Biomarkers for the Prediction and Detection of Human Papillomavirus Associated Cancers

Abstract

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types are not only associated to uterine cervical cancer, but also to a fraction of cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, head and neck. An HPV infection generates a protective humoral immune response against the capsid proteins L1 and L2; however, an immune response against other HPV early proteins is also generated. This latter is not a protective response, but those antibodies can be useful as biomarkers of the status of the infection and/or the stage of the cancer lesion. Until now, there are no conclusive results regarding the use of anti-HPV antibodies as biomarkers in diagnosis. In this review, we hereby summarized the actual panorama of the humoral immune response against different HPV early proteins during the development of the disease as possible biomarkers for the prediction and detection of HPV-associated cancers.

Usefulness of high‐risk HPV early oncoprotein (E6 and E7) serological markers in the detection of cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…If such a test could be incorporated into population screening using point‐of‐care testing of appropriately aged nonvaccinated women (e.g., 30–65 years as recommended by cervical screening guidelines), 44 it would improve screening rates, reduce losses to follow‐up (people, samples, and results) and ultimately lead to early detection of the disease in limited‐resource settings. Individuals who have been seropositive to both HPV E6/E7 antibodies are at higher risk for cervical cancer, 45 which makes them potentially useful biomarker candidates for early detection of cervical cancer 46 . However, we found that evidence is still limited for HPV antibodies to be translated into an effective detection tool for cervical cancer detection.…”

“…Individuals who have been seropositive to both HPV E6/E7 antibodies are at higher risk for cervical cancer, 45 which makes them potentially useful biomarker candidates for early detection of cervical cancer. 46 However, we found that evidence is still limited for HPV antibodies to be translated into an effective detection tool for cervical cancer detection. Further laboratory studies are required on the development of more accurate HPV serological biomarkers for them to be successfully translated into an effective screening or point‐of‐care detection tool for cervical cancer.…”