Description

Papillomavirus research stands at a critical intersection of virology, oncology, and comparative medicine. Papillomaviruses (PVs), members of the Papillomaviridae family, are known for their remarkable host specificity and their ability to cause a spectrum of pathologies in humans and numerous animal species. While high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been established as causative agents of cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal malignancies, other PVs also contribute to significant disease burdens in veterinary contexts, affecting livestock, companion animals, and even wildlife. Despite advances in our knowledge of PV molecular biology, immune evasion mechanisms, and the development of diagnostic modalities, challenges persist regarding early detection, comprehensive surveillance, and effective treatment. Ongoing debates center on the nature of cross-species transmission, viral persistence, and variability in clinical outcomes despite similar genetic organizations among PVs. Recent studies have highlighted gaps in biomarker validation, point-of-care technologies, and comparative epidemiology across human and animal populations, underlining the need for a more integrated approach to PV-related health challenges.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive platform for recent progress and emerging perspectives in papillomavirus research, placing particular emphasis on the mechanistic understanding of viral oncogenesis, state-of-the-art diagnostic strategies, and novel therapeutic interventions. Key objectives include unraveling the molecular and cellular basis of PV infection, persistence, and malignancy; fostering innovation in detection methodologies and biomarker discovery; and examining translational approaches that bridge human and animal health. Central questions include how PVs orchestrate host-pathogen interactions to evade immune responses, what the most sensitive and specific diagnostic modalities are for diverse host species, and how emerging therapies can be adapted or developed for both clinical and veterinary applications. The ultimate goal is to stimulate collaborative research that leads to practical outcomes in cancer prevention, disease management, and public health policy.

The scope of this Research Topic encompasses multidisciplinary studies on the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and control of papillomaviruses in both humans and animals, while excluding unrelated viral oncogenesis or host-pathogen interactions outside the Papillomaviridae family. We welcome articles that address, but are not limited to, the following key themes:

o Molecular and cellular mechanisms of PV infection, persistence, and malignant transformation

o Innovation in diagnostic technologies, biomarker discovery, and point-of-care assays

o Epidemiology and control strategies for PVs in humans and animals, including vaccination and public health impacts

o Therapeutic approaches such as antivirals, immunotherapies, and novel vaccine developments

o Comparative and translational studies utilizing animal PV models to inform human disease and vice versa

o Economic and veterinary impact of PV infections in livestock and companion animals

o Policy, access, and equity in screening and prevention, with a focus on resource-limited settings

Appendix: We welcome Review, Systematic Review, Original Research, Methods, and all other article types.

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Advancing diagnostics and therapeutics in human and animal papillomavirus research