The Role of Cf-HPV DNA as an Innovative Biomarker for Predicting Recurrence or Persistence of Cervical Cancer

Background: Cervical cancer is highly prevalent among women in Amazonas, Brazil, mainly due to late-stage diagnosis, which compromises treatment efficacy and survival rates. This highlights the urgent need for less invasive biomarkers to monitor affected patients. Methods: This study employed real-time PCR targeting the E7 gene of HPV types 16 and 18 to analyze plasma samples from 39 cervical cancer patients treated at the Oncology Control Center Foundation in Amazonas, Brazil. Results: cf-HPV 16 DNA was detected in 54% of samples before treatment. Socioeconomic and behavioral data showed that 46.2% of patients had low educational levels, 77% reported low income, 79.5% experienced early sexual activity onset, and 15.4% had never undergone cytological screening. Recurrence or persistence occurred in 30.8% of cases over 4–33 months of follow-up, with cf-HPV DNA detectable (at any time, pre- or post-treatment) in 75% of these cases. Conclusions: cf-HPV DNA in plasma is a promising biomarker for post-treatment surveillance, facilitating earlier detection of recurrence and proactive interventions. Incorporating this biomarker into clinical protocols could enhance outcomes and survival, particularly in underserved regions like the Amazon, where access to healthcare is limited.