Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA has been detected in breast carcinoma by different laboratorial techniques, suggesting the virus could play a role in the pathogenesis of this tumor. The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of HPV in patients with breast carcinoma and the correlation of the viral infection with prognostic factors for the disease outcome. Between June 2001 and July 2002, 101 paraffin embedded breast carcinoma specimens were analyzed through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of HPV-E6 gene. Twenty specimens of reduction mammoplasty and 21 specimens of fibroadenomas were also studied as a non-malignant control group. Two different specific primer sets targeting E6 region of the HPVs 16 and 18 were used for the analysis. The HPV DNA was detected in 25 breast carcinomas (24.75%), but in none of the benign breast specimens ( p < 0.001). Out of the 25 positive cases, 14 were HPV-16 positive (56%) and 10 were HPV-18 positive (40%). An original finding was the detection of both HPV-16 and -18 in a single tumor (4%). The amplified viral sequences confirmed the presence of HPV-16 and -18. No correlation between the presence of HPV DNA and specific prognostic predictors for the disease outcome was observed. Our results suggest that the presence in the breast of either HPV-16 or -18 might be related to development of the malignant phenotype. Further studies are warranted.

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The results provide quantitative evidence for an association between HPV infection and colorectal cancer risk.

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Recently, studies have been focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2 C-1306T) and 9 (MMP-9 C-1562T) promoter regions and its role as a risk factor for cancer development.Concerning to breast cancer and MMP-2 C-1306 T, two studies were reported so far. Zhou et al., in China, showed that T alelle carries have a diminished risk of cancer development [1]. However, no association was detected among genotypes, TNM stage and estrogen receptor (ER) status [1]. On the other hand, Grieu et al., in a case-series of Caucasian individuals, in Australia, showed significant association between TT genotype and small and ER negative tumors [2]. In the same sample TT homozygous patients with ER negative tumors had poor survival rates (P < 0.001) [2].Regarding to MMP-9 C-1562T and carcinogenesis there are few information. Grieu et al.' study showed evidence of a probable association between the presence of the T allele and good prognosis (P = 0.06) [2]. In this case-series, T allele was associated with nonductal type histology, positive ER status and lack of TP53 mutation (P < 0.05) [2]. Przybylowska et al. [3] recently reported lack of association among MMP-9 C-1562T, breast cancer risk and the level of MMP-9 in tumor samples.Porto Alegre (South Brazil) has the highest breast cancer incidence and mortality of the country. The no association with breast cancer risk, neither with clinicopathological features in a South Brazilian population of high incidence of breast cancer.