Association between Cervical Microbiota and HPV: Could This Be the Key to Complete Cervical Cancer Eradication?
Eliano Cascardi,
Gerardo Cazzato,
Antonella Daniele,
Erica Silvestris,
Gennaro Cormio,
Giovanni Di Vagno,
Antonio Malvasi,
Vera Loizzi,
Salvatore Scacco,
Vincenzo Pinto,
Ettore Cicinelli,
Eugenio Maiorano,
Giuseppe Ingravallo,
Leonardo Resta,
Carla Minoia,
Miriam Dellino
Affiliations
Eliano Cascardi
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy
Gerardo Cazzato
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy
Antonella Daniele
Experimental Oncology, Center for Study of Heredo-Familial Tumors, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy
Erica Silvestris
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, 70124 Bari, Italy
Gennaro Cormio
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giovanni Di Vagno
Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “San Paolo” Hospital, 70124 Bari, Italy
Antonio Malvasi
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy
Vera Loizzi
Gynecologic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine (DIM), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
Salvatore Scacco
Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Neurosciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Vincenzo Pinto
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy
Ettore Cicinelli
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy
Eugenio Maiorano
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Giuseppe Ingravallo
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Leonardo Resta
Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
Carla Minoia
Unit of Hematology and Cell Therapy, Laboratory of Hematological Diagnostics and Cell Characterization, 70124 Bari, Italy
Miriam Dellino
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Section, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza Aldo Moro, 70100 Bari, Italy
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.
