Research Topic · Peer-Reviewed

Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV, is a large family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. More than a hundred genotypes are recognised and are grouped by clinical behaviour into low-risk types, which cause benign warts and papillomas, and high-risk on…

Curated from this journal's research 📚 7 peer-reviewed articles cited Cited 13× across the literature 🔖 ISSN 2997-2108 🗓 Reviewed July 2026

Overview

Human papillomavirus, abbreviated HPV, is a large family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that infect epithelial cells of the skin and mucous membranes. More than a hundred genotypes are recognised and are grouped by clinical behaviour into low-risk types, which cause benign warts and papillomas, and high-risk oncogenic types, which can drive malignant transformation. Transmission is chiefly through skin-to-skin and sexual contact, making HPV one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. Most infections are transient and cleared by the immune system, but persistent infection with high-risk types can lead, through the action of viral oncoproteins that disrupt host tumour-suppressor pathways, to precancerous lesions and cancers, most notably Cervical Cancer and also cancers of the anogenital tract and oropharynx. Detection and abnormal cytology are identified through cervical screening, where the prevalence of abnormal Pap smears is studied across populations, and HPV's role in virus-induced carcinogenesis is a central theme of contemporary research. Prevention through vaccination against high-risk genotypes, together with screening, has transformed control of HPV-associated disease. Principal sub-areas include HPV virology and genotyping, the molecular mechanisms of viral carcinogenesis, cervical and other HPV-related cancers, screening and diagnostic testing, and vaccination and prevention within the broader context of sexually transmitted infection.

Research published in this journal

7 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

How this research is being cited

The 7 articles above have been cited 13 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.

A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Human Papillomavirus, linking to each citing work.

Editorial oversight

Curated from peer-reviewed research published in Cervical Cancer (ISSN 2997-2108).

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.