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

INTRODUCTION

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.

AREAS COVERED: 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.

EXPERT OPINION: 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.