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Clinical implications of (epi)genetic changes in HPV-induced cervical precancerous lesions

2014; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 14; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nrc3728

1474-1768

Renske D.M. Steenbergen, Peter J.F. Snijders, Daniëlle A.M. Heideman, Chris J.L.M. Meijer,

Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications

There is a clinical need for biomarkers to identify women with progressive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions to tailor clinical management and prevent overtreatment. This Review discusses the advances in understanding genetic and epigenetic alterations that underlie cervical cancer development, which offer opportunities for the molecular distinction of cervical cancer precursor lesions. Infection of cervical epithelium with high-risk human papilloma virus (hrHPV) might result in productive or transforming cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) lesions, the morphology of which can overlap. In transforming CIN lesions, aberrations in host cell genes accumulate over time, which is necessary for the ultimate progression to cancer. On the basis of (epi)genetic changes, early and advanced transforming CIN lesions can be distinguished. This paves the way for new molecular tools for cervical screening, diagnosis and management of cervical cancer precursor lesions.