Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Although 99.7% of cases are attributed to a previous infection by Human papillomavirus, a small percentage of the infected women progress to cervical cancer, suggesting the existence of different risk factors involved in the development and progression of this pathology. Genetic variability related to the host immune system could play an important role in the defense response to Human papillomavirus and therefore to the probability of developing cervical cancer. Worldwide, several international studies have reported that some genetic variations in immune system, such as polymorphisms in genes HLA, CTLA-4, MTHFR, Tp53 and receptors of natural killer cells are associated with susceptibility to cervical cancer, although these variations can also play a protective role depending on the study population. The role of the genetic factors of the host cell is an important factor in the progression of the cervical cancer.