📖 SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of developing HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer

Shih et al / Springer Nature ~ Discover Oncology • 14 August 2025

‘Over a 3-year follow-up period, individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly higher risks of developing HPV-related cancers compared to those without infection: a 67% increase in cervical cancer, 131% in vaginal cancer, 98% in vulvar cancer, 92% in anal cancer, and 78% in oropharyngeal cancer.


Similar trends were observed for carcinoma in situ, with increased risks of 34% for cervical, 61% for vaginal, 74% for vulvar, 96% for anal, and 78% for oropharyngeal carcinoma in situ.’

✾

‘SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of developing HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer’.


© 2025 Shih et al / Springer Nature ~ Discover Oncology.

❦ SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of developing HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer


By Shih et al / Springer Nature ~ Discover Oncology (14 August 2025)


[Abridged article: Please refer to original manuscript for full text. Link is provided below.]


‘SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with elevated risks of HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer, irrespective of age or race.’


✾ Abstract: Objective


‘This study aims to investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on HPV-related cancer and carcinoma in situ.


✾ Method


We utilized data from TriNetX, a database encompassing 106 healthcare organizations spanning 15 countries and comprising information from over 124 million participants.


Propensity score matching was utilized to compare two cohorts: SARS-CoV-2 infection and non- SARS-CoV-2 infection groups.


The cohorts consisted of females aged 18–90 with no previous history of HPV-related cancers before SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 and no HPV vaccine before 2020.


✾ Results


The study included a total of 4,872,295 patients, with 1,281,997 in the SARS-CoV-2 infection group and 3,590,298 in the non-infection group.


After propensity score matching, both groups comprised 1,281,997 patients each.


Over a 3-year follow-up period, individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection had significantly higher risks of developing HPV-related cancers compared to those without infection: a 67% increase in cervical cancer, 131% in vaginal cancer, 98% in vulvar cancer, 92% in anal cancer, and 78% in oropharyngeal cancer.


Similar trends were observed for carcinoma in situ, with increased risks of 34% for cervical, 61% for vaginal, 74% for vulvar, 96% for anal, and 78% for oropharyngeal carcinoma in situ.


Subgroup analyses stratified by age and race demonstrated consistent results.


✾ Conclusion


SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with elevated risks of HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer, irrespective of age or race.


The findings underscore the importance of understanding the interplay between viral infections and cancer development, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.’

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Source: 📖 (14 Aug 2025 ~ Springer Nature / Discover Oncology) SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of developing HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer ➤


© 2025 Shih et al / Springer Nature ~ Discover Oncology.

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📖 Long-term risk of herpes zoster [shingles] following COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study of 2,442,686 patients

by Chen et al / Journal of Medical Virology • 18 April 2023
❦ ‘The risk of herpes zoster (HZ) [ shingles ] remained significantly higher [ +60% ] in patients with COVID-19, compared with those without COVID-19. The higher risk of HZ in the COVID-19 cohort compared with that in the non-COVID-19 cohort remained consistent across sub-group analyses regardless of vaccine status, age, or sex. The risk of HZ within a 12-month follow-up period was significantly higher in patients who had recovered from COVID-19 compared with that in the control group.’ ✾ 📖 (18 Apr 2023 ~ Journal of Medical Virology) Long-term risk of herpes zoster following COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study of 2 442 686 patients ➤ © 2023 Journal of Medical Virology. ✾

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‘The arrival of the Omicron variant marked a major shift, introducing numerous extra mutations in the spike gene compared with earlier variants. Before Omicron, natural infection provided strong and durable protection against reinfection, with minimal waning over time. However, during the Omicron era, protection was robust only for those recently infected, declining rapidly over time and diminishing within a year.’