Prevalence of human papillomavirus detection in ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis

Abstract

We conducted a meta-analysis of published data to update and estimate the prevalence of HPV in ovarian cancer. A comprehensive literature search was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible articles published from 1989 until 2020 by searching Web of Sciences, Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library Central databases were gathered. A pooled estimation of HPV prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated based on a random effect model. Quantitative assessment of heterogeneity was explored using Cochrane test and I2. Additionally, publication bias, sensitivity, meta-regression, and subgroup analyses were also performed. Twenty-nine studies involving 2280 patients with ovarian cancer were included. The statistical heterogeneity was high (I2 = 88%, P<0.0001). The pooled prevalence of HPV in ovarian cancer cases was 15.9% (95% CI, 11–22). In subgroup analyses, the highest prevalence of HPV was reported by studies from Asia (30.9%; 95% CI, 20–44) and Eastern Europe (29.3%; 95% CI, 4.4–78). Furthermore, the most frequently detected HPV genotype was HPV16 (54%; 95% CI, 27.9–55), followed by HPV18 (23.2%; 95% CI, 18.8–28.2). Our meta-analysis suggests a great difference in the prevalence of HPV detected in ovarian cancer by different studies, which is not seen in strongly HPV-associated cancers such as cervical cancer. However, the prevalence varied markedly by geographic region. Considering the substantial heterogeneity found, more studies with control groups and precise assays measuring HPV mRNA expression are needed to further evaluate the link and causative aetiology between HPV and ovarian cancer.

Integration and viral oncogene expression of human papillomavirus type 16 in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cancer

“…Transcriptionally active HR‐HPV was strongly associated with Barrett's dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma 36 . In other cancer types, for example, the association of HR‐HPV with ovarian cancer is not strong 37 . In a case report, 3 ovarian tumors that metastasized from CC showed the same HPV genotype (HPV18) and the same integration site from its primary endocervical adenocarcinoma 38 .…”

Human Papillomaviruses as Infectious Agents in Gynecological Cancers. Oncogenic Properties of Viral Proteins

“…Other viral types, including HPV33, HPV6, and HPV45, as well as mixed HPV infections were also reported [6,246,247,253,258]. Two meta-analyses, published in 2013 and 2021, demonstrated that the pooled HPV prevalence in OC tissue worldwide was approximately 16%, but wide geographical variation (from 0% to 81%) was found [261,262]. The highest pool prevalence of HPV in OC cases was reported in Asia (45.6% and 30.9%) and Eastern Europe (18.5% and 29.3%), the lowest-in North America (0%) [261,262], respectively.…”

“…Two meta-analyses, published in 2013 and 2021, demonstrated that the pooled HPV prevalence in OC tissue worldwide was approximately 16%, but wide geographical variation (from 0% to 81%) was found [261,262]. The highest pool prevalence of HPV in OC cases was reported in Asia (45.6% and 30.9%) and Eastern Europe (18.5% and 29.3%), the lowest-in North America (0%) [261,262], respectively. Our study showed the presence of HPV DNA, mostly the HPV16 type, in the majority of cancerous ovarian tissues [6].…”

Etiopathogenesis of ovarian cancer. An inflamm-aging entity?

“…The role of viruses, such as human papillomavirus, in the initiation, promotion, and progression of OvCa is unknown ( Ibragimova et al, 2021 ). With the use of highly sensitive techniques, several groups have detected the presence of a viral genome in OvCa tissues ( Pathak et al, 2020 ), but it is not sufficient to prove that viruses are a causal factor in the genesis of the disease ( Cherif et al, 2021 ).…”