High Frequency of HPV Genotypes 16 and 18 Found in Breast Cancer Patients: Evidence for a More Comprehensive HPV Vaccination Program in Iran

Abstract

Background & Objectives: Papillomaviruses are found in many different types of infections and in a wide range of animals and humans. They can cause health problems, including benign and malignant tumors. In the present study, the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and breast cancer (BC) in Iran was investigated.
 Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the presence of the HPV genome was investigated in BC-suspected tissues for the first time in Qom Province, Iran. A total of 400 samples (including 200 BC-suspected tissue samples and 200 blood samples of women without BC) were collected from women referred to two cancer-specific general hospitals. To determine the presence of the L1 gene of HPV in the collected samples, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed. Then, HPV-positive samples were tested by PCR using high-risk specific HPV-16 and 18 primers.
 Results: Out of 200 BC-suspected tissue samples, 172 were malignant (in terms of pathology). Based on the nested PCR method, the L1 gene of HPV was detected in 12% (24/200) of the BC-suspected tissue samples and in 1.5% (3/200) of the blood samples from women without BC. The high-risk HPV genotypes (which were the predominant types) were present in 75% of the samples.
 Conclusion: The results of the current study show a high frequency of HPV-16 and 18 genotypes in human BC in Iranian women. This is almost certainly due to poor rates of HPV vaccination, and it is strongly recommended that health organizations (such as the World Health Organization [WHO]) ensure adequate coverage of highly effective HPV vaccination in Iran.

Investigation of human papillomavirus types in HER2/Neu breast cancer samples among women in Ardabil province

“…Madadgar Omid and et al showed that Out of 200 breast cancer suspected tissue samples Based on the nested PCR method, the L1 gene of HPV was detected in 12% (24/200) of the BC-suspected tissue samples The high-risk HPV genotypes (which were the predominant types) were present in 75% of the samples. [51] Such these ndings suggest that HPV may play a role in the development of breast cancer in this population. The study has several implications for breast cancer prevention and treatment.…”

“…Researchers have detected various HPV types worldwide, including in Iran, concerning studies investigating the role of HPV in breast cancer [8]. These types include 6, 11,15,16,18,23,33,35,45,51,52, 58, and 124, which have been identi ed in laboratory samples of breast cancer and HPV [9]. Although breast cancer is not a transmissible or infectious disease, given the con icting studies globally and the high prevalence of breast cancer among women, The study aimed to examine the frequency of HPV types in breast cancer samples among women in Ardabil province, Iran, to determine the role of HPV in breast cancer in this population.…”