CRISPR-Cas system: recent advancements in prompt diagnosis of high-risk HPV genotypes in cervical cancer

The CRISPR/Cas system has emerged as a highly versatile platform for diagnosing infectious diseases, particularly viral pathogens. Human papillomavirus (HPV) comprises of more than 200 types, with persistent infection by 14 high-risk genotypes recognized as the primary cause of cervical cancer worldwide. Early and accurate detection of these High-Risk HPV (HR-HPV) types is essential for effective clinical management and prevention of disease progression.

This narrative review was based on literature searches in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar covering studies published between 2015 and 2024. This review summarizes recent advances in CRISPR/Cas based diagnostics for HR-HPV, including both pre-amplification and amplification-free strategies. Integration of CRISPR systems with diverse readout modalities such as colorimetric, fluorescent, electrochemical, and lateral-flow biosensors has enabled rapid, sensitive, and user-friendly detection suitable for point-of-care testing (POCT), particularly in low-resource settings.

CRISPR/Cas assays demonstrate high sensitivity, specificity, and speed, offering a promising alternative to conventional molecular techniques for HR-HPV detection and genotyping. The convergence of CRISPR diagnostics with artificial intelligence, microfluidics, and affordable biosensors holds significant potential to transform community-level HPV screening. With continued innovation and regulatory support, CRISPR/Cas systems are poised to become indispensable tools for early HR-HPV detection and cervical cancer prevention.