Incidental epidermodysplasia verruciformis human papillomavirus infection (EV acanthoma): evidence for ‘field cancerization’ and a putative cofactor in seborrheic keratosis

Human Papillomavirus-Associated Giant Clear Cell Acanthoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) represent distinct entities within dermatological oncology, each posing unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. CCA is a rare, benign epidermal growth, often not associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, whereas SCC, a more aggressive form of skin cancer, has been linked to both ultraviolet (UV) exposure and HPV. Understanding the co-occurrence of these conditions in a single patient can enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes. We report a 64-year-old male who underwent an operation for a verruciform lesion in the right groin, which was diagnosed as HPV-positive CCA alongside keratinised SCC. A literature search across January 2024 revealed limited evidence directly linking HPV to CCA, suggesting a need for further investigation. The speculative association between HPV and CCA warrants deeper exploration, especially considering the potential for HPV to contribute to lesion development through indirect mechanisms. The coexistence of CCA and SCC in an elderly patient presents a unique clinical scenario. This emphasises the need for vigilant diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies, highlighting the gap in understanding the pathogenesis of CCA, particularly its potential association with HPV. Further research is crucial for elucidating the complex interactions governing these conditions and for developing targeted interventions.

Condyloma and coincidental epidermodysplasia verruciformis acanthoma positive for human papillomavirus-14 and -21

Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EDV) is a rare genodermatosis that predisposes individuals to persistent infection with β-human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes. The term EDV acanthoma may be applied to lesions with incidental findings of EDV-defining histopathological features without clinical signs of EDV. We report a case of HPV-14- and -21-positive EDV acanthoma arising in association with condyloma in a female patient with a history of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion of the cervix positive for high-risk HPV (non-16/18), chronic kidney disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The patient had no family or personal history of EDV, but the patient was on immunosuppressive therapy with mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone. A biopsy specimen from one of the perianal lesions revealed histopathologic changes consistent with EDV in the setting of condyloma. Molecular testing showed HPV-14 and -21, which supported the coexistence of condyloma with EDV acanthoma.

Betapapillomavirus infection profiles in tissue sets from cutaneous squamous cell-carcinoma patients

Human papillomaviruses from the genus beta (betaPV) are a possible cause of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We compared the betaPV infections in SCC and in sets of cutaneous tissues collected from a series of individual SCC patients to determine concordance and to assess the adequacy of eyebrow hairs as noninvasive markers of betaPV infection. Biopsies of SCC tumors, perilesional tissue, normal skin from the mirror image of nonfacial SCC and plucked eyebrow hairs were collected from 21 patients with incident SCC living in Queensland, Australia. These were tested for the presence of DNA from 25 different betaPV types. Overall prevalence of betaPV was high in every sample type, ranging from 81% to 95%. The median number of types was significantly higher in the SCC tumour (6), perilesional skin (5) and eyebrow hairs (5) than in normal skin (2). Comparing SCC tissue with other sample types within patients showed 63 overlapping infections with eyebrow hairs (71%; 95% CI: 60-80); 56 with perilesional skin samples (63%; 95% CI: 52-73) and 23 with normal skin samples (26%; 95% CI: 17-36). The sensitivity of eyebrow hair testing for detection of betaPV in the tumor was 82% (95% CI: 57-96) with concordance defined as 50% of betaPV types in common and 29% (95% CI: 10-56) for 100% concordance. These findings support the concept that perilesional skin represents an area of field change involving betaPV preceding SCC development and indicate that eyebrow hairs can serve to some degree as an easily collected marker of tumor betaPV status in epidemiological studies.