Introduction: Following up on treated high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL/CIN) lesions poses a challenge. Cervical cytology often has a high false-negative rate, while high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA testing, though sensitive, lacks specificity. The detection of messenger RNA of the HR-HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins (E6/E7 mRNA) is proposed as an indicator of viral integration, which is crucial for identifying severe lesions. Additionally, HPV vaccination could reduce recurrence rates in patients treated for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. Objective: Our study aimed to assess the clinical utility of E6/E7 mRNA determination in the follow-up of HPV-immunized patients who were treated for HSIL/CIN. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study including 407 patients treated for HSIL/CIN. The recurrence rate and the validity parameters of E6/E7 mRNA testing were analyzed. Results: The recurrence rate for high-grade lesions was 1.7%. This low percentage might be related to the vaccination of patients who were not immunized before treatment. The sensitivity of the E6/E7 mRNA test was 88% at the first clinical visit, reaching 100% in the second and third reviews. Specificity was 91% at the first visit, 92% at the second, and 85% at the third. Regarding predictive values, the positive predictive value was 18% at the first visit, 10% at the second, and 14% at the third, while the negative predictive value was 100% across all follow-up visits. Conclusions: The E6/E7 mRNA test appears to be an effective tool for ruling out recurrence after treatment for HSIL/CIN lesions in HPV-immunized patients.
3 October 2021 in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Our aim was to analyze the association between anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and abnormal anal cytology in women with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2+). We also analysed what other risk factors might be significant. We carried out a prevalence study from April 2015 to March 2017 at La Paz University Hospital. Genotyping of HPV, anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy were performed. Of 171 patients recruited, 53 cases (31%) were diagnosed as histological CIN 2+: there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anal HPV (OR = 0.8), nor the prevalence of abnormal anal cytology (OR = 2.15, 95% CI 0.8-5.7) compared to women with CIN 1 or no cervical dysplasia. Immunosuppression (OR = 2.51, 95% CI 1-6.3, p < .05), cervical HPV (OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.9-8.0, p < .01) and being older than 40 years old (p < .05) were also associated with anomalous anal results.
Background/Objectives: Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection can lead to malignancies of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and oropharynx. The increasing incidence of HPV-related head and neck cancers has raised concerns regarding potential occupational exposure and transmission risks among healthcare workers. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the evidence on occupational HPV transmission in healthcare settings. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) from inception to August 2025, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 34 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Expert opinions and practical recommendations from members of the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) Prevention Committee were included to support interpretation of the results. Results: The available literature on occupational HPV transmission was limited, with a paucity of high-quality studies. Nevertheless, existing data suggest a potential occupational risk, particularly during aerosol or smoke-generating procedures performed for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical cancer. Several studies reported the detection of HPV DNA in surgical smoke or on instruments used during such procedures, indicating possible exposure among healthcare workers. Conclusions: Although current evidence is insufficient to definitively classify HPV infection as an occupational disease, available data indicate a potential exposure risk for healthcare workers involved in HPV-related procedures. Preventive measures, like personal protective equipment, should be emphasized. HPV vaccination has been recommended by some professional societies for healthcare workers performing gynecological procedures, though further research is needed to evaluate vaccine efficacy beyond the standard age range and its cost-effectiveness in this context.
In the follow-up of treated high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HSIL/CIN) lesions, cer-vical cytology has a high false-negative rate, while high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA testing showed high sensitivity and lower specificity. The detection of messenger RNA of the HR-HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins (E6/E7 mRNA) seems to be an indicator of viral integration and it allows the identification of severe lesions. Our objective was to assess the clinical utility of E6/E7 mRNA determination in the follow-up of patients treated for HSIL/CIN. A retrospective obser-vational study including 407 patients treated for HSIL/CIN was performed. The recurrence rate and the validity of E6/E7 mRNA testing were evaluated. The recurrence rate of high-grade lesions was 1.7%. The sensitivity of the test was 88% in the first clinical revision and 100% in the second and third revisions. Specificity was 91% in the first revision, 92% in the second revision, and 85% in the third revision. The positive predictive value was 18% in the first medical revision, 10% in the second and 14% in the third. The negative predictive value was 100% in all follow-up visits. In conclusion, the E6/E7 mRNA test seems to be effective in ruling out recurrence after treatment for HSIL/CIN lesions.