The Global HPV Laboratory Network brings together the international community of laboratories and researchers working on HPV testing, genotyping, quality assurance, and molecular surveillance. Originally established by WHO in 2005 to support HPV vaccine introduction, it now serves the expanding needs of laboratory professionals as more countries implement HPV-based screening and as molecular surveillance becomes critical to monitoring vaccination impact.

This SIG focuses on the laboratory science needed to support HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and elimination efforts — including harmonization of testing methods, use of reference materials and proficiency panels, quality assurance, and interpretation of genotyping data. Through exchange, training, and consensus-building, the Global HPV Laboratory Network strengthens the contribution of laboratory science to cervical cancer elimination and the broader prevention of HPV-related disease.

This SIG addresses the biology, clinical management, and prevention of diseases caused by HPV 6 and 11. These genotypes are responsible for two distinct but pathogenetically linked conditions: recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) and anogenital warts, one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections worldwide.

Despite sharing causative viral genotypes, RRP and anogenital warts differ markedly in their epidemiology, anatomical distribution, immune microenvironment, clinical course, and therapeutic response. This SIG will bring together a multidisciplinary community to serve clinicians managing patients with HPV 6/11-related disease, laboratory and translational researchers studying low-risk HPV pathogenesis, and public health scientists tracking the population-level impact of vaccination on both conditions.

HPV-BRIDGE addresses a critical gap in cervical cancer prevention: the lack of standardized frameworks for validating and implementing DNA methylation biomarkers as triage tools for HPV-positive women. DNA methylation biomarkers detect epigenetic changes associated with HPV-driven carcinogenesis and could improve risk stratification, reduce unnecessary colposcopy referrals, and increase screening efficiency.

HPV-BRIDGE brings together a multidisciplinary international community to develop a roadmap for translating methylation biomarkers into clinically validated and implementable screening technologies. Launched in 2026, the group currently includes 30 experts from across Europe, Canada and Australia, with plans to expand globally.

The Social, Behavioral, and Implementation Sciences (SBIS) SIG advances research that translates HPV-related discoveries into equitable, real-world impact across prevention, screening, treatment, survivorship, and policy. The SIG brings together researchers, practitioners, advocates, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience whose work spans social and behavioral science, implementation science, health services research, health policy, health communication, community-engaged research, and evaluation. It focuses on understanding multilevel factors that influence HPV-related outcomes and on developing, implementing, adapting, scaling, and evaluating evidence-based interventions — helping accelerate global HPV cancer elimination while supporting education, advocacy, and policy priorities.