Human papillomavirus and its clinical relevance in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Kurdish population in the west of Iran

Abstract

Background The aetiological role of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was evaluated by assessment of the presence and status of HPV DNA in a Kurdish population in the west of Iran. Methods One hundred and three paraffin-embedded ESCC tissue samples, diagnosed between 2007-2013, were included in the study. DNA was extracted and then HPV presence and genotypes were determined by PCR and INNO-LiPA genotyping, respectively. Results HPV DNA was detected in 11/103 (10.7%) of ESCCs. HPV-18 and HPV-16 genotypes were determined in five and six samples, respectively. Co-infection of HPV-6 was only found with HPV-18 in two cases. There were no statistically significant distinctions between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases with regard to clinical and pathologic findings. Conclusion The present study indicates that, among a group of Kurdish people in two provinces in the west of Iran, as a low-risk ESCC area, HPV could be one of the risk factors, although in a small proportion of the patients.

The Relation of HPV Infection and Expression of p53 and p16 Proteins in Esophageal Squamous Cells Carcinoma

“…Global data shown by recent literature indicates that HPV has no significant etiological role in most cases of ESCC 35 . Another recent study showed that HPV infection may play a role in esophageal carcinogenesis only in high-incidence regions 41 and this conclusion corroborates, in part, the results demonstrated by our study, since we found identical HPV frequency in patients without EC group compared to the group with ESCC. To confirm, no correlation with p16 and p53 expression with tumor was observed and they are canonic pathways altered in HPV-cervical cancer.…”

Determination of the Physical Status (Episomal/Integral) of HPV by qPCR in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…In our previous study, the association of HPV-16 and HPV-18 with ESCC was shown in Kurdish population of the west of Iran (4), 4 where the incidence of the disease is low (7 and 8.1 in 100 000 in Kurdistan 20 and Kermanshah provinces, 21 respectively) in comparison with an incidence of 1/1000 in some populations of Iran such as high-risk Turkmen population in the north of Iran. 22 Using real-time PCR, we examined the presence of HPV-18 and HPV-16 and also the integration status of the virus, since HPV integration is considered to result in the deletion of E2 gene.…”

“…2 Recent studies have reported HPV DNA detection in extragenital cancers as well; even though the etiological association of HPV in those malignancies is still contentious. [3][4][5] One of the main procedures of HPV which induce carcinogenesis is the integration of its genome into the host DNA. 6,7 However, the physical status (episomal/integral) of HPV genome is not absolute for the carcinogenesis and confirmation of insertional mutagenesis.…”

“…15 Therefore E6 and E7 oncoproteins intervene in the normal cell cycle via degrading the p53 and pRb tumor suppressor proteins, respectively. 16 Some studies have found HPV infection in extra-genital tumors including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), 4,17 although the etiological contribution of the HPV in these malignancies is still argued.…”

Prevalence and Association of Human Papillomavirus with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Iran: A Systematic Re-view and Meta-Analysis

“…The genome of HPV integrates into the host cell chromosome in malignant tissues and disrupts E2 ORF. Therefore, decreased expression of E2 regulatory protein results in an increased expression of the viral E6 and E7 oncoproteins (9).…”