Abstract: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a crucial causative agent of cervical cancer. The persistent expression of HPV E6/E7 protein degradates or inactivates p53 and pRb proteins, which induces the immortalization and malignant transformation of cells by interacting with multifarious cytokines and variable pathways. The level of E6/E7 mRNA indicates the transcription activity of HPV, suggesting that the E6/E7 mRNA can be used to diagnose cervical diseases. In some clinical practice, the level of HPV E6/E7 mRNA has been used in different population to screen and predict cervical lesions and to predict the risk of cervical diseases. However, there was not agreement at present in the clinical application. The difference in the methods to detect HPV E6/E7 mRNA may be one of causes of this disagreement. The HPV E6/E7 protein analysis was hardly used in clinical practice. The immunotherapy targeting the E6/E7 protein is a research hotspot, which has made some progress in animal experiment and preclinical study.

Key words: Uterine cervical neoplasms, Uterine cervical diseases, Papillomaviridae, E6, E7