Advances in the application of gene methylation detection in cervical cancer screening

Abstract

Cervical cancer remains a leading malignancy among women globally, with its pathogenesis strongly associated with persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Despite the widespread adoption of HPV testing in cervical cancer screening, its suboptimal specificity frequently results in overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Gene methylation, a key epigenetic modification, has emerged as a highly specific biomarker associated with cervical precancerous lesions and carcinogenesis, holding significant promise for enhancing screening precision. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in gene methylation detection for cervical cancer screening, with a focus on the identification of methylation biomarkers, the evolution of detection technologies, and their clinical utility. Furthermore, it addresses the current challenges and limitations in implementing methylation-based assays in routine clinical practice. By offering a systematic overview of the field, this work aims to support the optimization of cervical cancer screening strategies and promote the integration of epigenetic biomarkers into standard clinical workflows.