Immune Response Gene Polymorphisms and Cervical Cancer Susceptibility

Cervical cancer (CxCa) remains one of the most common malignancies in women worldwide. Although almost all cases are associated with chronic infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types, not every infected woman develops the disease, indicating a significant role of genetic factors. This study reviewed 131 studies on genes related to immune system function and their impact on the risk of developing cervical cancer. The majority of the studies analyzed were conducted in Asian populations, primarily Chinese and Indian. The analysis focused in particular on polymorphisms in genes involved in the antiviral response, inflammatory processes, antigen presentation, and regulation of lymphocyte activity. Most of the evidence points to the importance of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) genes, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferons (IFNs). Variants in these genes may influence the effectiveness of HPV clearance, susceptibility to persistent infection, and the risk of progression of precancerous lesions to invasive cancer. It is worth emphasizing that identifying genetic risk factors may, in the future, support the development of personalized prevention strategies, screening tests, and the assessment of the individual risk of disease. Nevertheless, most available findings warrant further validation in large and diverse populations. In summary, cervical cancer is the result of a complex interaction between HPV infection and the host’s genetic predisposition. Research on immune response genes provides valuable information about the mechanisms of disease development, and may contribute to improved methods of prevention and early detection.