Biomarkers in cervical precancer management: the new frontiers

The major cause of cervical cancer and its pre-invasive lesions is persistent infections with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV). Viral replication and integration in the cervix depends on the ordered expression of viral gene products, which can lead to overexpression of multiple molecular proteins or biomarkers. These novel biomarkers allow the monitoring of essential molecular events in histological or cytological specimens and are likely to improve the detection of lesions that have a high risk of progression in both primary screening and triage settings. This review focuses on these molecular markers and their role in the diagnosis and management of cervical dysplasia and cancer.