Heterogeneity of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia related to HPV16: Implications for natural history and management

Factors associated with progression from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 to invasive cancer are not well understood; most CIN2 and CIN3 do not progress to cancer. Among carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types, infections with HPV16 have the highest risk of progressing to cancer. We evaluated the heterogeneity of risk factors, lesion size, colposcopic impression and colposcopic biopsy results in relation to HPV16 status among 627 women with CIN2 or CIN3 in women referred to colposcopy at the University of Oklahoma. Loop excision specimens were evaluated in 12 radial segments to estimate lesion size. The mean age at CIN3 was 27.7 years for HPV16‐positive women (n = 225) and 33.6 years for HPV16‐negative women (n = 104). The average lesion size did not differ by HPV16 status (p = 0.83). Among HPV16‐positive women with CIN3, lesions were significantly larger in women 30 years and older (p = 0.03). Colposcopic impression was worse in women with HPV16 infections (p = 0.009), but the detection of CIN3 at the preceding biopsy was not improved in HPV16‐positive women. CIN3 is detected at the same lesion size, but at much younger age in women with HPV16 infections, suggesting faster growth. CIN2 lesion size in women without HPV16 peaks below 30 years and then decreases, suggesting frequent regression, whereas HPV16‐related CIN2 is more likely to persist. Lesion size seems to be an important determinant of colposcopy and biopsy performance. Genotyping for HPV16 in cervical cancer screening can improve risk stratification but may pose challenges to finding small lesions in colposcopy.     

IgG antibodies to HPV16, 52, 58 and 6 L1-capsids and spontaneous regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

To identify the predictive markers for spontaneous regression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), we examined whether IgG antibody responses to common human papillomavirus (HPV) L1-capsids correlate with CIN regression. In a cohort study, a total of 116 Japanese women with CIN grade I/II were tested for cervical HPV DNA and serum IgG antibodies to HPV16/52/58/6 L1-capsids. Our data suggest that baseline IgG reactivities to HPV L1-capsids do not serve as a predictive marker of CIN regression, in contrast to histological CIN grades and HPV DNA status.     

Patterns of persistent HPV infection after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN): A systematic review

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the estimates of and definitions for human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence in women following treatment of cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasia (CIN). A total of 45 studies presented data on post‐treatment HPV persistence among 6,106 women. Most studies assessed HPV persistence after loop excision (42%), followed by conization (7%), cryotherapy (11%), laser treatment (4%), interferon‐alpha, therapeutic vaccination, and photodynamic therapy (2% each) and mixed treatment (38%). Baseline HPV testing was conducted before or at treatment for most studies (96%). Follow‐up HPV testing ranged from 1.5 to 80 months after baseline. Median HPV persistence tended to decrease with increasing follow‐up time, declining from 27% at 3 months after treatment to 21% at 6 months, 15% at 12 months, and 10% at 24 months. Post‐treatment HPV persistence estimates varied widely and were influenced by patient age, HPV‐type, detection method, treatment method, and minimum HPV post‐treatment testing interval. Loop excision and conization appeared to outperform cryotherapy procedures in terms of their ability to clear HPV infection. This systematic review provides evidence for the substantial heterogeneity in post‐treatment HPV DNA testing practices and persistence estimates.     

Low risk of type-specific carcinogenic HPV re-appearance with subsequent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2/3

Carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are very common after sexual debut and nearly all become undetectable ("clear") within a few years. Following clearance, the long-term risks of type-specific HPV re-appearance and subsequent risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) are not well defined. In the 7-year, population-based cohort study in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, we studied how often type-specific carcinogenic HPV infections re-appeared after clearance and how often re-appearance led to CIN2+. We considered 1,740 carcinogenic HPV infections detected by MY09/11 PCR among 2,805 women (18-91 years old, median 34) who were actively followed at 6- or 12-month intervals. We identified women with one or more type-specific HPV infections that cleared and re-appeared and further defined a subgroup of "definite clearance and re-appearance" (≥2 intervening negative results over a period of ≥1 year). We determined the absolute risk of CIN2+ among the different groups. p values are two-sided. Only 7.7% (81/1,052) of HPV-infected women had intervening negative results. Very few (3.7%, 39/1,052) had "definite clearance and re-appearance", of which 5.1% (2/39) subsequently persisted to a diagnosis of CIN2. There were zero CIN3+ lesions. Extremely few women (2/2,805 of women in our cohort) had a type-specific carcinogenic HPV infection clear, re-appear and lead to CIN2+. If confirmed, this argues against vaccination to avoid re-appearance that leads to precursor lesions and against the need of frequent HPV screening after initial negative results.     

The role of genotype-specific human papillomavirus detection in diagnosing residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

We assessed prospectively whether residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after treatment for high-grade CIN can be predicted by genotype-specific high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) detection in follow-up cervical scrapes. A broad spectrum, highly sensitive SPF(10)-LiPA-PCR HPV detection technique was used on cervical scrapes before large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), on the LLETZ biopsy and on follow-up scrapes of 90 patients treated for high-grade CIN. HR-HPV was detected in the biopsies of 93% (n = 84) of the patients and in the follow-up scrapes of 48% (n = 43) of the patients. In 12 patients, genotype-specific HR-HPV persistence was detected in both follow-up scrapes. In 10 patients, residual CIN was detected. In 5 of these patients (including all patients with residual CIN 3), the follow-up scrapes showed genotype-specific HR-HPV persistence. In 2 patients, a different HR-HPV was detected, and 3 patients had HR-HPV-negative follow-up scrapes. Conventional cytologic follow-up was abnormal in 13 patients including all 10 patients with residual CIN. The negative predictive value (NPV) of HR-HPV detection on follow-up scrapes was high (94%). Repeat detection of genotype-specific HR-HPV showed a lower sensitivity and NPV than repeat detection of any HR-HPV, but its specificity was higher. Repeat conventional cytologic follow-up showed the highest sensitivity and NPV. In conclusion, the presence of HR-HPV in cervical scrapes after LLETZ for high-grade CIN is a risk factor for the presence of residual CIN. HR-HPV genotype-specific persistence is specifically present in patients with residual CIN 3. However, HR-HPV detection cannot predict or exclude the presence of residual CIN in the individual patient and additional procedures remain necessary.     

HPV prevalence and accuracy of HPV testing to detect high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Concern was raised on using testing for high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancer screening in populations where HPV prevalence is high. The impact of HR HPV prevalence on the efficiency of HPV test-based screening has never been directly evaluated. A meta-regression of the relationship between HR HPV prevalence and the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of HPV DNA testing for the presence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) was performed. Only studies that used Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) were included. Country income (low-medium vs. high) was used as a proxy of previous screening. Twenty-six populations from 20 studies were included. For a 10% increase in HR HPV prevalence, HC2 specificity decreased by 8.41% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.02-8.81], whereas PPV increased by 4.74% (95% CI: 2.45-7.03). HR HPV prevalence explained 98% of the variability in HC2 specificity and 38% of the variability in PPV. Country income did not affect specificity, but low-medium income was associated with higher PPV (3.81%; 95% CI: 1.53-6.10) after adjustment for HR HPV prevalence. When HR HPV prevalence is high, the specificity of HPV testing for CIN2+ decreases, but PPV does not decrease and it is high in inadequately screened populations. The number of HPV-positive women needing further assessment or treatment per CIN2+ case detected will therefore decrease and screening efficiency will improve. This is explained by the fact that HR HPV causes CIN2+: an increase in HR HPV prevalence is inevitably accompanied by an increase in CIN2+.     

Type-specific HPV geno-typing improves detection of recurrent high-grade cervical neoplasia after conisation

The aim of this case-control study was to examine if type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA geno-typing before and after treatment of high-grade cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) improves prediction of recurring or persisting CIN 2 or 3 compared with follow-up cytology or high-risk (hr)HPV testing. Women with biopsy-proven recurrence of CIN 2 or 3 (cases) in a follow-up period of at least 24 months after treatment of high-grade CIN were compared with women without recurrence (controls). These cohorts were identified by a database search of the Riatol Laboratoria (Antwerp, Belgium). In a cohort of 823 women treated with conisation for high-grade CIN between January 2001 and December 2007, 21 patients with a histologically proven recurrence of CIN2+ were identified. A group of women (n=42) from the same cohort without recurrence was randomly chosen. We found that hrHPV testing at 6 months post-treatment is significantly more sensitive compared with follow-up cytology (ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.54), but less specific (ratio: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.90) to predict failure of treatment. When compared with hrHPV testing, HPV geno-typing is more efficient (equal sensitivity, but higher specificity, ratio: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.280-1.62). When compared with follow-up cytology, HPV geno-typing is more sensitive (ratio: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.54) and more specific (ratio: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14-1.36). All women who developed a recurrence tested positive for hrHPV. The negative predictive value in the absence of hrHPV DNA was 100%. Six months after treatment HPV geno-typing is the most sensitive and specific method to predict recurrent or persistent CIN 2-3 in the next 24 months.     

Elevated methylation of HPV16 DNA is associated with the development of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

We explored the association of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) DNA methylation with age, viral load, viral persistence and risk of incident and prevalent high grade CIN (CIN2+) in serially collected specimens from the Guanacaste, Costa Rica cohort. 273 exfoliated cervical cell specimens (diagnostic and pre‐diagnostic) were selected: (1) 92 with HPV16 DNA clearance (controls), (2) 72 with HPV16 DNA persistence (without CIN2+) and (3) 109 with CIN2+. DNA was extracted, bisulfite converted and methylation was quantified using pyrosequencing assays at 66 CpGs across the HPV genome. The Kruskal‐Wallis test was used to determine significant differences among groups, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to evaluate how well methylation identified women with CIN2+. In diagnostic specimens, 88% of CpG sites had significantly higher methylation levels in CIN2+ after correction for multiple tests compared with controls. The highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.82 for CpG site 6457 in L1, and a diagnostic sensitivity of 91% corresponded to a specificity of 60% for CIN2+. Prospectively, 17% of CpG sites had significantly higher methylation in pre‐diagnostic CIN2+ specimens (median time of 3 years before diagnosis) versus controls. The strongest pre‐diagnostic CpG site was 6367 in L1 with an AUC of 0.76. Age‐stratified analyses suggested that women older than the median age of 28 years have an increased risk of precancer associated with high methylation. Higher methylation in CIN2+ cases was not explained by higher viral load. We conclude that elevated levels of HPV16 DNA methylation may be useful to predict concurrently diagnosed as well as future CIN2+.     

HPV在宫颈病变中的临床意义

生殖道人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染是一种广泛流行的性传播疾病.高危型HPV持续感染被认为是宫颈癌及其癌前病变发生的主要因素.多重HPV感染、HPV病毒负荷与宫颈癌及其癌前病变的病变程度及发展密切相关.目前,对于宫颈HPV感染检测有多种手段,其中PCR和捕获杂交技术(HCⅡ)在临床实验室应用较广泛.在宫颈癌的筛查中联合应用HPV检测和细胞学,可以提高敏感性、减少随诊频率,减少不必要的阴道镜检查.对于细胞学检查为不典型鳞状细胞(ASCUS)者,HPV检测可以帮助进一步区分高危人群.同时,HPV检测有可能作为一种有效的宫颈癌前病变及宫颈癌治疗后随访的预后指标.     

子宫颈上皮内瘤样病变和子宫颈癌组织中Smad2/3和HPV16 E7的表达及意义

背景与目的:Smads蛋白是转化生长因子-β(transforming growth factor-β,TGF-β)超家族信号转导的下游信号蛋白,与多种肿瘤的发生密切相关;人乳头状瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)感染是宫颈癌的重要致癌因素,但目前对两者在宫颈癌发病过程中相互关系的研究尚不充分.本研究拟检测不同宫颈病变组织中Smad2/3和HPV16 E7蛋白的表达,探讨HPV感染和Smad2/3蛋白变化在宫颈癌形成和演进进程中的相互关系.方法:采用免疫组织化学SP法检测20例宫颈慢性炎症、30例宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN)和30例宫颈癌组织中Smad2/3和HPV16 E7的表达情况,比较其在各种病变中表达水平的差异.结果:Smad2/3蛋白在慢性宫颈炎、CIN和宫颈癌组织中的阳性率分别为50.0%、73.3%和93.3%,宫颈癌组分别与慢性宫颈炎组和CIN组比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),慢性宫颈炎组与CIN Ⅲ级组相比,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).HPV16 E7蛋白阳性率在慢性宫颈炎、CIN和宫颈癌组织中分别为60.0%、66.7%和83.3%,各组间两两比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).Smad2/3阳性率与宫颈癌临床分期、病理类型、组织学分级和淋巴结转移无关(P＞0.05).Smad2/3与HPV16 E7表达呈正相关(r=0.271,P=0.015).结论:Smad2/3蛋白在宫颈癌组织中表达升高,可能在宫颈癌的发生过程中起重要作用;HPV感染与Smad2/3蛋白在宫颈癌组织中表达升高密切相关.     

Human papillomavirus 16 in breast cancer of women treated for high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III).

Women with both a history of high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN III) and breast carcinoma as second primary cancer were selected for studying the presence of HPV in breast carcinomas. Paraffin embedded material from 38 patients with 41 breast carcinoma cases after CIN III were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization. By PCR we detected HPV 16 DNA in 19 out of 41 cases (46%) of the breast carcinomas. One case proved to be HPV 16 positive also by in situ hybridization. HPV 16 was also detected in 32 out of the 38 patients with CIN III (84%). All HPV 16 positive breast carcinomas were HPV 16 positive in their corresponding CIN III lesions. Eight patients with diagnosed breast cancer before the CIN III lesions were used as controls. None of these had HPV positive breast carcinomas. No cases were positive for HPV 11, 18, or 33. HPV 16 was detected in the primary tumours, in local metastases from HPV 16 positive tumours, in a distant HPV 16 positive breast carcinoma metastasis to the colon, and in other primary cancers in patients with HPV 16 positive breast carcinomas and HPV 16 positive CIN III. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were quantified in the HPV positive and HPV negative breast carcinomas, and there was no significant difference in the fraction positive in the two groups. Oncogenic HPV DNA might be transported from an original site of infection to other organs by blood or lymph, and possibly be a factor in the development of cancer in different organs.     

女性下生殖道HPV感染与宫颈上皮内瘤变及宫颈癌关系的病理研究

目的：探讨女性下生殖道高危型人乳头状瘤病毒（high risk human papillomavirus,HR－HPV）感染与宫颈上皮内瘤变（cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN）及宫颈癌的关系。方法：选择2013年2月－2015年4月我院收治的236例CIN及宫颈癌患者为观察组,进行下生殖道HPV（人乳头状瘤病毒）检测,分析CIN及宫颈癌与HPV感染的关系,并与对照组有宫颈炎但无CIN及宫颈癌的126例患者进行对比研究。结果：HR－HPV感染率随着患者CIN 的严重程度而升高,宫颈癌的HR－HPV感染率最高为91．89％,明显高于对照组差异具有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。HR－HPV双重感染率以及HR－HPV多重感染率与单一HR－HPV患者的病毒感染率相比较高,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0．05）。且患者随着病情的加重,单型、双重、多重HR－HPV感染率从CINⅠ期、CINⅡ期、CINⅢ期呈递增趋势。结论：HR－HPV感染及HR－HPV多重感染是导致宫颈上皮内瘤变及宫颈癌发生的重要诱因,对高危型 HPV 病毒的持续感染,及时的诊断并予以有效的治疗,能够阻滞癌前病变的发展,对于预防宫颈上皮内瘤变及宫颈癌,降低宫颈癌的死亡率具有重要临床意义。     

光动力治疗人乳头瘤病毒感染和宫颈上皮内瘤变的临床应用进展

光动力疗法是联合应用光敏剂及其相关光源,利用光动力学反应选择性破坏肿瘤组织的治疗方法.目前光动力疗法作为一种新的疗法已经在HPV感染和CIN的治疗中广泛应用并取得了良好的治疗效果,通过对国内外光动力疗法在治疗HPV感染及CIN的临床应用的综述,可以为进一步深入研究提供理论依据.     

宫颈锥切术在诊断宫颈病变中的价值分析

目的：探讨宫颈锥切术能否被阴道镜多点活检所代替以及宫颈锥切术在诊断宫颈上皮内瘤样病变（CIN）和早期宫颈癌中的价值。方法：回顾分析2007年1月-12月在江西省妇幼保健院肿瘤科因宫颈病变同时行阴道镜多点活检和宫颈锥切术（包括冷刀和电圈环切术即LEEP术）的患者120例,采用自身对照法,研究宫颈锥切术和阴道镜多点活检的病检结果的差异。结果：宫颈锥切术与阴道镜下多点活检病理符合者59例（49.17%）;不符合者61例（50.83%）,宫颈锥切术后病理诊断加重者35例（占29.17%）,浸润癌漏诊率10.00%。结论：宫颈锥切术在诊断C IN和早期宫颈癌中具有重要价值,不能被阴道镜多点活检所取代。要重视切缘是否阳性并加强术后随访。     

宫颈锥切术在诊断宫颈病变中的价值分析

目的:探讨宫颈锥切术能否被阴道镜多点活检所代替以及宫颈锥切术在诊断宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(CIN)和早期宫颈癌中的价值。方法:回顾分析2007年1月-12月在江西省妇幼保健院肿瘤科因宫颈病变同时行阴道镜多点活检和宫颈锥切术(包括冷刀和电圈环切术即LEEP术)的患者120例,采用自身对照法,研究宫颈锥切术和阴道镜多点活检的病检结果的差异。结果:宫颈锥切术与阴道镜下多点活检病理符合者59例(49.17%);不符合者61例(50.83%),宫颈锥切术后病理诊断加重者35例(占29.17%),浸润癌漏诊率10.00%。结论:宫颈锥切术在诊断C IN和早期宫颈癌中具有重要价值,不能被阴道镜多点活检所取代。要重视切缘是否阳性并加强术后随访。     

Impact of an HPV6/11/16/18 L1 virus-like particle vaccine on progression to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in seropositive women with HPV16/18 infection

The impact of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine on development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2-3 or adenocarcinoma in situ (CIN2-3/AIS) in women with ongoing HPV16 or 18 infections prevaccination is reported. Seventeen thousand six-hundred and twenty-two women aged 16-26 were enrolled in 1 of 2 randomized, placebo-controlled, efficacy trials (Protocols 013 and 015). Vaccine or placebo was given at day 1, month 2 and 6. Women were tested for HPV6/11/16/18 DNA and antibodies at day 1. We focus on the subset of women who were seropositive and DNA positive to HPV16 or HPV18 prevaccination. Incidence is expressed as the number of women with an endpoint per 100 person-years-at-risk. In total, 419 vaccine and 446 placebo recipients were both seropositive and DNA positive to HPV16 or HPV18 prevaccination and had at least one follow-up visit. In Protocol 013, the incidence of HPV16/18-related CIN2-3/AIS among these women was 10.9 in the vaccine arm and 7.0 in the placebo arm (vaccine efficacy = -54.9; 95% CI: -181.7, 13.0). In Protocol 015, the incidence of HPV16/18-related CIN2-3/AIS was 5.5 in the vaccine arm and 6.2 in the placebo arm (vaccine efficacy = 12.2%; 95% CI: -29.8, 40.9). These data suggest HPV vaccination neither reduces nor enhances progression to HPV16/18-related high grade cervical lesions, and cervical cytology screening and corresponding management should continue as per local recommendations. Ultimately, population-based surveillance of vaccinated individuals beyond these clinical trials will be required to further address questions regarding the impact of vaccination in women exposed to vaccine HPV types before vaccination.     

宫颈癌和宫颈上皮内瘤变中表皮生长因子受体表达与人乳头瘤病毒16和(或)18感染及其相互关系

目的探讨宫颈癌发生发展过程中,表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)与人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)的作用及其相互关系。方法宫颈癌组60例,选自1997年至2001年间中山大学肿瘤防治中心住院初治的宫颈癌病例,临床分期Ⅰa～Ⅱb期;宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)组40例;正常上皮对照组30例。以免疫组化S-P法检测宫颈组织EGFR的表达,以PCR检测HPV16和(或)HPV18感染。结果正常上皮组、CIN组和宫颈癌组的EGFR中强表达率呈梯度上升,分别为0、42.5%和76.7%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。正常上皮组、CIN组和宫颈癌组的HPV16和(或)HPV18感染率分别为6.7%、67.5%和58.3%,宫颈癌组和CIN组的感染率均显著高于正常上皮组(P=0.000),但宫颈癌组与CIN组之间,差异无统计学意义(P=0.355)。肿瘤侵袭程度超过宫颈1/2间质者,EGFR中强表达率显著高于未达1/2间质者(89.2%:56.5%,P=0.004)。宫颈管侵袭者HPV16和(或)HPV18感染率显著高于无侵袭者(88.2%:46.5%,P=0.003)。EGFR与HPV之间无显著相关性(P>0.05)。EGFR与HPV均未显示与宫颈癌预后有关。结论EGFR和HPV与宫颈癌的发生发展有关;EGFR、HPV16和(或)HPV18与宫颈癌预后无关,EGFR与HPV16和(或)HPV18无显著相关性。     

Differences in human papillomavirus type distribution in high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer in Europe

Knowledge of differences in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐type prevalence between high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (HG‐CIN) and invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is crucial for understanding the natural history of HPV‐infected cervical lesions and the potential impact of HPV vaccination on cervical cancer prevention. More than 6,000 women diagnosed with HG‐CIN or ICC from 17 European countries were enrolled in two parallel cross‐sectional studies (108288/108290). Centralised histopathology review and standardised HPV‐DNA typing were applied to formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded cervical specimens dated 2001–2008. The pooled prevalence of individual HPV types was estimated using meta‐analytic methods. A total of 3,103 women were diagnosed with HG‐CIN and a total of 3,162 with ICC (median ages: 34 and 49 years, respectively), of which 98.5 and 91.8% were HPV‐positive, respectively. The most common HPV types in women with HG‐CIN were HPV16/33/31 (59.9/10.5/9.0%) and in ICC were HPV16/18/45 (63.3/15.2/5.3%). In squamous cell carcinomas, HPV16/18/33 were most frequent (66.2/10.8/5.3%), and in adenocarcinomas, HPV16/18/45 (54.2/40.4/8.3%). The prevalence of HPV16/18/45 was 1.1/3.5/2.5 times higher in ICC than in HG‐CIN. The difference in age at diagnosis between CIN3 and squamous cervical cancer for HPV18 (9 years) was significantly less compared to HPV31/33/‘other’ (23/20/17 years), and for HPV45 (1 year) than HPV16/31/33/‘other’ (15/23/20/17 years). In Europe, HPV16 predominates in both HG‐CIN and ICC, whereas HPV18/45 are associated with a low median age of ICC. HPV18/45 are more frequent in ICC than HG‐CIN and associated with a high median age of HG‐CIN, with a narrow age interval between HG‐CIN and ICC detection. These findings support the need for primary prevention of HPV16/18/45‐related cervical lesions.