Testicular cancer and HPV semen infection

Abstract

Testicular cancer represents the more frequent solid tumor affecting males aged 15–35 years. In the last decades, its incidence showed a progressive increased probably due to genetic and environmental factors. Despite exposure to some viruses such as HIV, HCV, EBV, and HPV is frequently related to cancer development, there are no studies aimed to evaluate the possible implication of viral infections in the pathogenesis of testicular cancer. In this study, we analyzed sperm parameters and prevalence of HPV on sperm in 155 testicular cancer patients at diagnosis (T−1), after orchiectomy (T0) and after 12 months from surgery or from the end of adjuvant treatments (T12). All patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of semen infection than controls (9.5% and 2.4% respectively,) and altered sperm parameters both at T−1 and T0. Considering sperm parameters, at T−1 we observed a reduction of progressive motility, and after orchiectomy patients showed a reduction of sperm concentration and count and a further worsening of motility. Thereafter, patients were assigned to three groups on the basis of medical option after surgery: S = surveillance, R = radiotherapy, and C = chemotherapy +/− radiotherapy. At T12, untreated patients had an improvement of sperm parameters while R group and even more C group had a strong decrease of sperm number (p < 0.01 both vs. T0 and S group). Moreover, patients who received radio and/or chemotherapy had a very high prevalence of HPV semen infection (S = 7.7%, R = 30.8%, and C = 61.5%). In conclusion, patients with testicular cancer had frequently altered sperm parameters and higher prevalence of HPV semen infection that were worsened after radio and chemotherapy. Because HPV infection is a risk factor for cancer development and it may further reduce fertility, we suggest screening for HPV in testicular cancer patients at diagnosis and particularly after adjuvant treatments.

Cancer Incidence in a Nationwide HIV/AIDS Patient Cohort in Taiwan in 1998–2009

“…While a causal role has not yet been established for some cancers, a link has been proposed between HPV type 18 and prostate cancer, 33 HPV, EBV and the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) and breast cancer, 34 HPV semen infection and testicular cancer, 35 and polyomaviruses and bladder cancer. 36 In our study, increased risks of prostate cancer, testicular cancer and bladder cancer were seen.…”

Nationwide Study of Cancer in HIV-Infected Taiwanese Children in 1998–2009

“…Many of the cancers have been associated with an infectious etiology in HIV-infected adults 1 and children 10 . Although a causal role has not yet been established for some cancers, human papilloma virus (HPV) infection has been associated with lung cancer 11 and testicular cancer 12 in adults.…”

Seminal human papillomavirus originates from the body surface and is not a frequent aetiological factor in azoospermia

“…Garolla et al () found a higher prevalence of HPV in the semen of 155 testicular cancer patients compared to controls. They observed that patients who received radio‐ and/or chemotherapy had significantly higher HPV prevalence rates compared to untreated patients (Garolla et al, ). The increased prevalence after treatment might be due to the decreased clearance of the HPV infections because the immune system might have been inhibited by the cancer treatment.…”

“…Since HPV is known to cause malignancy in the female Cervix uteri and in the anus, penis and pharynx (Garolla et al, ), it is reasonable to ask whether HPV is a cause of testicular cancer. Garolla et al () found a higher prevalence of HPV in the semen of 155 testicular cancer patients compared to controls.…”

“…Since HPV is known to cause malignancy in the female Cervix uteri and in the anus, penis and pharynx (Garolla et al, ), it is reasonable to ask whether HPV is a cause of testicular cancer. Garolla et al () found a higher prevalence of HPV in the semen of 155 testicular cancer patients compared to controls. They observed that patients who received radio‐ and/or chemotherapy had significantly higher HPV prevalence rates compared to untreated patients (Garolla et al, ).…”