Association between Cervical Microbiota and HPV: Could This Be the Key to Complete Cervical Cancer Eradication?
by
, , , , , , , , , and
Eliano Cascardi
1,2,*,†
,
Gerardo Cazzato
3,4,†
,
Antonella Daniele
5, 
Erica Silvestris
6,
Gennaro Cormio
7,
Giovanni Di Vagno
8,
Antonio Malvasi
3,
Vera Loizzi
7
,
Salvatore Scacco
9
,
Vincenzo Pinto
3,
Ettore Cicinelli
3,
Eugenio Maiorano
4
,
Giuseppe Ingravallo
4
,
Leonardo Resta
4
,
Carla Minoia
10
and
Miriam Dellino
3,8 1
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
2
Pathology Unit, FPO-IRCCS Candiolo Cancer Institute, Str. Provinciale 142 km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
3
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy
4
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
5
Experimental Oncology, Center for Study of Heredo-Familial Tumors, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy
6
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy
7
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
8
Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “San Paolo” Hospital, 70124 Bari, Italy
9
Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
10
Unit of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Laboratory of Hematological Diagnostics and Cell Characterization, 70124 Bari, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Biology 2022, 11(8), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11081114
Submission received: 20 June 2022
/
Revised: 21 July 2022
/
Accepted: 22 July 2022
/
Published: 26 July 2022
Simple Summary
The microbiota can modulate immune responses and modify the physiology of the human organism, thereby increasing infective risks and a neoplastic predisposition. In this review, we focus on the composition of the cervical microbiota, to identify the risk of developing Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and better understand the interaction between cervico-vaginal microbiota and human papillomavirus as a means of promoting the identification of new therapeutic strategies. In fact, no therapy for HPV is yet available. A better understanding of the cervical micro-environment could be a key element allowing complete viral clearance to be achieved in largely affected populations.
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.
