Absence of human papillomavirus DNA in breast cancer as revealed by polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 commonly associated with cervical cancer are found in many epithelial malignancies at extra-genital sites including breast. The transforming gene products of HPV have also been shown to immortalize breast epithelial cells in vitro. But the findings of HPV DNA in breast carcinoma are found to be contradictory. In the present study fine needle aspirate cell (FNAC) samples from 26 breast cancer patients and four breast tumour biopsies were analysed for the presence of HPV 16 and 18 DNA sequences by both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot hybridization. Of 26 fine needle aspirate cell samples and four breast cancer biopsies, not a single sample was found to be positive by either PCR or Southern blot hybridization. The observation of complete absence of HPV DNA sequences in breast cancer refute the possibility of any role for oncogenic genital HPV types 16 and 18 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Analysis of the presence of cutaneous and mucosal papillomavirus types in ductal lavage fluid, milk and colostrum to evaluate its role in breast carcinogenesis

“…Additional studies have reported a high prevalence of HPV DNA in breast cancer of women with a history of cervical pre-malignant and malignant lesions [17][18][19], suggesting that HPV DNA may migrate through bloodstream from the original site of infection to the breast, or alternatively, may be transmitted by hand from the female perineum to the breast. In contrast to the studies cited above, no DNA from low-risk and high-risk HPV types was detected in several other independent studies using type-specific and/or consensus PCR primers in Paget's diseases, papillomas, papillary carcinomas and infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas [20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. In particular, Gopalkrishna et al reported that when breast cancer cells were collected by aspiration with a fine needle to avoid any possible contamination of surrounding tissues, no HPV DNA was detected in the tumour tissue [22].…”

“…In contrast to the studies cited above, no DNA from low-risk and high-risk HPV types was detected in several other independent studies using type-specific and/or consensus PCR primers in Paget's diseases, papillomas, papillary carcinomas and infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas [20][21][22][23][24][25][26]. In particular, Gopalkrishna et al reported that when breast cancer cells were collected by aspiration with a fine needle to avoid any possible contamination of surrounding tissues, no HPV DNA was detected in the tumour tissue [22].…”

“…Different hypotheses can be envisaged to explain these findings. It is possible that the most frequently detected HPV types in the DL fluids (9,22,23 and 38) are present on the skin of the nipple at a higher copy number than the other beta HPVs. Therefore, they have a higher probability than the others to be transported by the catheter into or infect the ducts.…”

Limited evidence of human papillomavirus on breast tissue using molecular in situ methods

“…25 Tissues from populations with a high incidence of cervical cancer, eg, Mexico, Brazil, and India, 25 reported frequencies of oncogenic HPV in breast tissues of 29%, 25%, and 0%, respectively. 2,3,26 However, more extensive global studies with standardized methodology would be necessary to prove or disprove this concept.…”

No Detection of 'High-risk' Human Papillomaviruses in a Group of Iranian Women with Breast Cancer

“…Additionally, HPV-18, -31 and -33 were also detected in breast cancer specimens (Yu et al, 2000). In contrast, other authors failed to demonstrate the presence of HPV DNA in samples of breast carcinoma, even using the same methods of detection (Gopalkrishna et al, 1996;Hachana et al, 2010). Considering these controversial data and following our previous study (Shahmahmoudi et al, 2007), our aim was to investigate the presence of HPV-DNA of high and low-risk mucosal types in female breast carcinomas as well as in non-cancerous breast tissues of a group of Iranian women by nested PCR.…”