IPVS 2026

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Glossary

1

HPV (human papillomavirus)

A family of double-stranded DNA viruses infecting squamous epithelium, including the skin and anogenital and oropharyngeal mucosa. Around 14 types are classified as high-risk or oncogenic because persistent infection can progress to cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile and oropharyngeal cancers.

2

IPVS (International Papillomavirus Society)

The scientific society that convenes the annual International Papillomavirus Conference. The 2026 edition, listed as IPVS 2026, runs in Athens on 22-25 October 2026, with programme and registration details published on ipvsconference.org.

3

Oncogenic (high-risk) HPV types

HPV types with established causal links to cancer, chiefly HPV 16 and 18, plus types such as 31, 33, 35, 45, 52 and 58. Genotyping results tell a screening programme whether a positive test carries the risk profile that warrants immediate colposcopy referral.

4

Primary HPV screening

A screening strategy in which an HPV DNA or mRNA test replaces cytology as the first-line test, with cytology or genotyping used as triage for positives. Most elimination-track programmes are moving in this direction because HPV testing is more sensitive for CIN2+ than cytology.

5

CIN and CIN2+ / CIN3+

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, graded by the proportion of the epithelium replaced by abnormal cells. CIN2+ and CIN3+ are the standard endpoints in screening accuracy studies and vaccine impact studies, since they capture the lesions most likely to progress to invasive cancer.

6

HPV DNA test

A molecular assay that detects viral DNA from high-risk types in a cervical or self-collected sample. Commercial platforms differ in type coverage, signal thresholds and whether they report pooled positive results or partial genotyping for HPV 16 and 18.

7

HPV mRNA test (E6/E7 assay)

A test that measures transcripts from the viral E6 and E7 oncogenes, on the argument that messenger RNA expression indicates a transforming infection rather than a transient one. It is used mainly as a more specific triage test after a positive DNA result.

8

Genotyping

Reporting which HPV types are present rather than only a pooled positive or negative result. Partial genotyping for HPV 16 and 18 is common in screening algorithms because those two types carry the highest progression risk.

9

Self-sampling

Vaginal self-collection of a specimen by the person being screened, either at home or in a clinic, then processed with a molecular HPV assay. It is a core tool for reaching under-screened populations where clinician-based sampling capacity is limited.

10

Cytology (Pap / liquid-based)

Microscopic assessment of cervical cells for abnormality. It remains the triage test in many algorithms and the historical comparator against which HPV testing performance is measured, but it has lower sensitivity and depends on trained cytopathology capacity.

11

Colposcopy

Magnified visual examination of the cervix, usually with acetic acid and iodine, to locate and biopsy suspicious areas after a positive screen. Referral volume is the main cost pressure that screening programmes try to control with better triage.

12

VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid)

A low-cost, naked-eye screening and triage method used where molecular testing is unavailable. It can be performed by trained nurses and delivered at primary-care level, at the cost of lower specificity.

13

90-70-90 elimination strategy

The WHO global strategy for cervical cancer elimination: 90 percent of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70 percent of women screened with a high-performance test by 35 and again by 45, and 90 percent of women with detected lesions treated and managed. Modelling presented at HPV conferences tests how far each target drives incidence down.

14

Nonavalent vaccine

The nine-valent prophylactic HPV vaccine covering types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Conference data typically cover duration of protection, single-dose and reduced-dose schedules, and cross-protection against non-vaccine types.

15

Therapeutic HPV vaccine

A vaccine designed to generate cell-mediated immunity against existing HPV infection or lesions, rather than to prevent infection. Candidates are usually trialled in CIN2/3 or recurrent disease settings and are a recurring topic in the immunotherapy sessions.

16

Herd protection

Indirect protection of unvaccinated people that follows high vaccination coverage in a population, because transmission chains are interrupted. It is one reason vaccine impact studies often show declines in HPV prevalence among unvaccinated cohorts.

17

Persistent HPV infection

Detection of the same high-risk HPV type across repeat tests over months or years. Persistence, rather than a single positive result, is the strongest predictor of progression to high-grade lesions.