Lack of HPV in Benign and Malignant Epithelial Ovarian Tumors in Iran

Association of human papillomavirus 16 and 18 with ovarian cancer risk: Insights from a meta‑analysis

Ovarian cancer (OC) presents a global health challenge, with well-documented genetic aspects. However, to the best of our knowledge, the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 in OC remains unclear. The present meta-analysis assessed the prevalence of HPV in OC across 43 studies and included a comparative meta-analysis of 19 case-control studies to determine the association of HPV with OC risk. Subgroup analyses were performed based on geographic regions and histopathological types to explore heterogeneity, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and statistical tests of asymmetry. The pooled prevalence of HPV was found to be 10% (95% CI, 5-18) and 7% (95% CI, 3-15) specifically for HPV 16/18. Case-control studies indicated an odds ratio (OR) of 4.92 (95% CI, 1.96-12.53) for HPV 16/18, with higher pooled prevalence rates of 17% for all HPV genotypes and 13% for HPV 16/18. Notably, Asian countries exhibited the highest HPV prevalence and OR in OC. These findings support the involvement of HPV, particularly HPV 16 and 18, in increasing the risk of OC, emphasizing the need for further research to confirm these associations and explore potential mechanisms.

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

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.

HPV infection upregulates the expression of ZNT-1 in condyloma acuminatum

Condyloma acuminata (CA) are benign anogenital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection with a high recurrence rate. Despite its high contagiousness, high recurrence rate and potential for malignant transformation, effective treatments for CA have not yet been developed. Accordingly, it is necessary to clarify the mechanisms underlying CA development. Zinc (Zn) is stably maintained in the weight of human body. Skin is the third most Zn-abundant tissue in the body. Zn is present as a divalent ion (Zn2+) in cells and does not need a redox reaction upon crossing the cellular membrane. Zn transporters (ZnTs; SLC30A) and Irt-like proteins (ZIPs; SLC39A) are involved in Zn2+ efflux and uptake, respectively. ZnT1 is one of the ZnTs, which associates with the development of HPV. However, the role of ZnT1 regulation in the CA caused by HPV infection remains unknown. A multigroup case-control study was designed to investigate the expression and significance of the ZnT1 in patients with CA infected with HPV and in normal vulva controls. ZnT1 was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 44 patients with CA at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University 2019-2020. Samples were analyzed by paraffin embedding and sectioning and hematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemical methods detected specific, dark brown, positive staining of ZnT1 in the keratinocytes of epidermis. We verified that the expression levels of ZnT1 that interact with HPV were upregulated in the CA groups independently of genotype compared with the control group. And then we found that the HPV risk grade in CA patients has a certain correlation with ZnT1 expression. These findings showed that HPV infection upregulated the expression of ZnT1 in CA. Additionally, there were obvious differences in the expression of ZnT1 between the different HPV risk grade infection groups. The higher the HPV risk grade, the stronger the ZNT1 protein expression. This study provided new insights into the sign pathway to HPV infection.

Association of Human Papilloma Virus and Epstein-Barr Virus with Ovarian Cancer in Shiraz, Southwestern Iran

Background & Objective:

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst women. The association of Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with ovarian cancer is inconclusive; therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency of HPV and EBV in malignant, borderline, benign and normal ovarian tissues.

Methods:

In this case-control study, 205 Paraffin-embedded ovarian tissue specimens including 68 malignant, 27 borderline, 65 benign, and 45 normal tissues were included from December 2014 to January 2018 and subjected to DNA extraction. The β-globin gene was amplified using PCR to confirm the quality of the extracted DNA. The genomes of HPV (genotypes 16 and 18) and EBV were identified, using specific primers by PCR.

Results:

The mean age of participants was 43.42 ± 15.4 years. The frequency of HPV was statistically significant between malignant versus benign (P=0.02) and control groups (P=0.002), but not with borderline tumor group (P=0.78). Amongst HPV infected samples, 1 (4.5%) and 14 (63.6%) samples were infected with types 16 and 18, respectively. Also 4 (18.2 %) samples were infected with both genotypes. Eleven samples including 7(10.3%) malignant, 1 (3.7%) borderline, 3 (4.6%) benign and none (0%) of normal control groups were infected with EBV, which was statistically different between malignant and the normal control group (P=0.03).

Conclusion:

The results of our study showed the possible role of high risk HPVs as well as EBV in pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, and further studies are recommended to confirm these findings.