HPV Infection and Oral Microbiota: Interactions and Future Implications

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of mucosal cancers, including the increasing incidence of HPV-related head and neck cancers. The oral microbiota-a diverse community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses-play a critical role in oral and systemic health. Oral microbiota dysbiosis is increasingly linked to inflammation, immune suppression, and cancer progression. Recent studies highlight a complex interaction between HPV and oral microbiota, suggesting this interplay influences viral persistence, immune response and the tumor microenvironment. These interactions hold significant implications for disease progression, clinical outcomes and therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, the oral microbiota has emerged as a promising biomarker for HPV detection and disease progress assessment. In addition, probiotic-based treatments are gaining attention as innovative approach to prevent or treat HPV-related cancers by modulating the microbial environment. This review provides current research on the interaction between HPV and oral microbiota, explores their clinical implications, and discusses the future potential to utilize microbiota for diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in HPV-associated cancers.