Towards the elimination of infectious HPV: exploiting CRISPR/Cas innovations

HPV has been conclusively associated with various human malignancies, making the development of prevention and treatment strategies for HPV-induced diseases a high priority. Currently, primary prevention methods include HPV immunization and routine screening, which significantly reduce the risk of HPV transmission. However, for patients diagnosed with invasive, advanced, or recurrent malignancies, non-virus-specific therapies frequently lead to drug resistance and adverse effects, resulting in minimal improvement in treatment efficacy for numerous patients. Viral genome-targeting therapy is emerging as a promising avenue for the future management of HPV infections. With the rapid advancement of genetic modification technologies, the CRISPR/Cas system has demonstrated significant potential in treating viral infections. Its ability to selectively target and edit viral genomes for elimination positions it as a highly effective approach for combating HPV. This review will explore the functions and applications of the CRISPR/Cas system as an innovative therapy for HPV. We will illustrate the prospective efficacy of CRISPR/Cas as a groundbreaking and promising cure for HPV infections, while also addressing the opportunities and challenges associated with this novel approach.