Recently, it is found that T-helper (Th) 22 cells are involved in different types of autoimmune and tumor diseases. But, till now, no study has been carried out to understand the involvement of these cells in cervical cancer (CC). Flow cytometry was used to determine the expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), Interleukin-22 (IL-22), IL-17 in the peripheral blood of healthy controls (HC), CIN and cervical cancer patients. From peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), mRNA expression levels of Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC), TNF-α and IL-6 were respectively determined. Using the method of ELISA, plasma concentrations of IL-22, IL-17 and TNF-α were examined. Th22 and Th17 cells were elevated in CC and CIN patients. Th1 cells and the plasma concentrations of IL-22 in CC patients were significantly increased compared with HC. In CC patients, an increased prevalence of Th22 cells was associated with lymph node metastases. There was a positive correlation between Th22 and Th17 cells, but an approximately negative correlation between Th22 and Th1 cells in CC patients. The mRNA expression of RORC, TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly high in CC patients. Our results indicate that there is a higher circulatory frequency of Th22, Th17 and Th1 cells in CC which may conjointly participate in the pathogenesis and growth of CC.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the perceived knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding genital warts and HPV vaccination among college students in Shandong Province, China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on Chinese college students from March 13 to April 2, 2026, in four universities in Shandong Province, China. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire in Chinese that was newly developed for this study and covered demographic characteristics and the three dimensions of the knowledge–attitude–practice (KAP) framework: perceived knowledge (14 items, score range 0–28), attitude (9 items, score range 9–45), and practice (10 items, score range 10–50). Bloom's cut-off criteria were applied to the attainable range of each scale, calculated as (observed score – minimum possible score) / (maximum possible score – minimum possible score) × 100%, and scores were classified as poor (< 60%), moderate (60%−79%), or good (≥80%). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the associations among perceived knowledge, attitude, and practice. Results: A total of 959 participants were included, with 58.39% of participants being male. The mean perceived knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 15.34 ± 7.64, 35.92 ± 7.42, and 36.84 ± 11.71, corresponding to 54.79%, 74.78%, and 67.10% of the attainable range of each scale, and therefore to poor perceived knowledge and moderate attitude and practice. In the SEM, perceived knowledge was directly associated with attitude (β = 0.119, P = 0.012) and with practice (β = 0.461, P = 0.014), and attitude was directly associated with practice (β = 0.118, P = 0.007). An indirect association between perceived knowledge and practice through attitude was also observed (β = 0.014, P = 0.003). Perceived knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were positively correlated with each other (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: College students in Shandong Province, China had poor perceived knowledge and moderate attitudes and practices regarding genital warts and HPV vaccination. Perceived knowledge showed the strongest association with the practice construct in the specified SEM, with attitude acting as a modest indirect association through attitude. Because the design was cross-sectional; these findings represent associations rather than causal effects. Campus-based sexual health education should prioritize accurate HPV-related knowledge, male vaccination awareness, and accessible referral pathways for STI examination and HPV vaccination.