Impact of Host Molecular Genetic Variations and HIV/HPV Co-infection on Cervical Cancer Progression: A Systematic review

Only a small subset of women who are co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus sub-type 1 (HIV) and persistence oncogenic Human papillomavirus (HPV), progress rapidly to invasive cervical cancer by mechanisms that are currently poorly understood. The use of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), with ensuing immune reconstitution of CD4 T-cells, does not appear to prevent rapidly progressing cervical carcinogenesis. Therefore, to better understand the cervical cancer pathogenesis in HIV/HPV co-infected women, this review focuses on identifying host molecular genetic variations and genetic alterations in cervical cancer progression that may play a role in disease progression. This is an important aspect for individualised genomic profiling and targeted molecular prevention in order to improve the management of the disease in this sub-population.