SEARCHNARRATIVE_REVIEWobstetrics and gynecology, oncology

narrative_review·obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, infectious disease, immunology·PMC10378257

Herpes Simplex Virus, Human Papillomavirus, and Cervical Cancer: Overview, Relationship, and Treatment Implications

Cancers · 5 authors, 3 centres

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TL;DR

This narrative review evaluates the established role of HPV in cervical cancer pathogenesis and examines the controversial and unproven potential involvement of HSV-2. The central finding is that while HPV/HSV-2 coinfection has been associated with higher cervical cancer risk in some studies, a definitive causal link between HSV and cervical cancer has not been established.

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The authors describe well-characterized HPV oncogenic proteins E5, E6, and E7 as key drivers of cervical carcinogenesis, while noting that the role of HSV, particularly HSV-2, remains controversial with mixed results across studies. Some evidence suggests HPV/HSV-2 coinfection may elevate cervical cancer risk, and the authors discuss the 'hit and run' hypothesis as a possible mechanism by which HSV could initiate but not sustain oncogenesis. However, the review concludes that an association between HSV-2 and cervical cancer has not been unambiguously established, and even if one existed, confounding by shared immunological compromise, genetic predisposition, or lifestyle factors could account for it.

STUDY TYPE

narrative_review

SPECIALTY

obstetrics and gynecology

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10378257

Herpes Simplex Virus, Human Papillomavirus, and Cervical Cancer: Overview, Relationship, and Treatment Implications

Cancers

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Simple Summary Many different viruses are known to cause cancer. It is well known that human papillomavirus is a causative agent of cervical carcinoma. What is more controversial in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer is the role of herpes simplex virus. If herpes simplex does contribute to cervical cancer, then it could become a therapeutic target against a disease that is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths per year. After a brief introduction to both viruses, this review assesses the evidence for and against the involvement of herpes simplex in the development of cervical cancer. Furthermore, it discusses treatment options for this disease, including preventative measures and recent therapeutic advances. Abstract There is a significant body of research examining the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, with a particular emphasis on the oncogenic proteins E5, E6, and E7. What is less well explored, however, is the relationship between cervical cancer and herpes simplex virus (HSV). To date, studies examining the role of HSV in cervical cancer pathogenesis have yielded mixed results. While several experiments have determined that HPV/HSV-2 coinfection results in a higher risk of developing cervical cancer, others have questioned the validity of this association. However, clarifying the potential role of HSV in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer may have significant implications for both the prevention and treatment of this disease. Should this relationship be clarified, treating and preventing HSV could open another avenue with which to prevent cervical cancer. The importance of this is highlighted by the fact that, despite the creation of an effective vaccine against HPV, cervical cancer still impacts 604,000 women and is responsible for 342,000 deaths annually. This review provides an overview of HSV and HPV infections and then delves into the possible links between HPV, HSV, and cervical cancer. It concludes with a summary of preventive measures against and recent treatment advances in cervical cancer. Keywords: HSV, HPV, oncogenic virus, cervical cancer, cervical cancer treatment

CITATION EXPORT

Daniel G Sausen, Oren Shechter, Elisa S Gallo et al.. Herpes Simplex Virus, Human Papillomavirus, and Cervical Cancer: Overview, Relationship, and Treatment Implications. Cancers. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15143692

AUTHORS

5 · 3 CENTRES

Daniel G Sausen, Oren Shechter, Elisa S Gallo, Harel Dahari, Ronen Borenstein

1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 23501, USA; [email protected] (D.G.S.); [email protected] (O.S.)
2Division of Dermatology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
3The Program for Experimental and Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA; [email protected]