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

Infection with Human Papillomavirus 18 Promotes Alkylating Agent-Induced Malignant Transformation in a Human Esophageal Cell Line

The relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and esophageal cancer (EC) has been controversial, which may be caused by the difference in geographic regions of sample origin. Thus, we conducted a case-control study to find that HPV increased the risk of esophageal cancer, and the HPV18 detection rate is the highest (24.2%) among patients with EC, suggesting that HPV18 could be the most risk subtype of HPV infected. We then identified high-risk HPV18 and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine (MNNG) to establish a model on the viral etiology cooperating with environmental carcinogens. Het-1A cells containing HPV18 were continuously exposed to MNNG or not; then the morphological phenotype and function assays were performed in 25th passage cells. MNNG promoted the proliferation and invasion abilities and inhibited apoptosis both in Het-1A-HPV18 and control group. However, the Het-1A-HPV18 had a stronger change in phenotypic features and formed more transformed foci in soft agar. Further, Western blot found p53 and p21 were down-regulated, and expression of c-Myc, MMP-2, and MMP-9 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were up-regulated. Our results revealed that MNNG was easier to induce malignant transformation of Het-1A cells transfected with HPV18. It is good evidence for the close relationship between HPV and the etiology of EC, providing foundation for further study in molecular mechanism and specific intervention targets.

P16 and P53 Expression in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Brief Report From The Experience of South of Iran, and Review of the Literature

Background:

Iran is one of the high-risk countries for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been reported as one of the etiologic, pathogenetic, and prognostic factors in this tumor, especially in high-risk geographic areas. Previous reports from our geographic area, that is, the South of Iran failed to show any evidence of HPV in the cases of ESCC by molecular methods.

Objectives:

In this study, we evaluated P16 and P53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression in the cases of esophageal ESCC from Fars province in the South of Iran to find the presence of any correlation between clinicopathologic findings with P16 and P53 expression by IHC as etiologic and prognostic biomarkers. We also tried to compare the results from other geographic areas of Iran and the world.

Results:

P16 and P53 expression were found in 42.9% and 66.12% of ESCCs, respectively. No statistically significant correlation was found between clinicopathologic findings and P16 pr P53 expression.

Conclusion:

Although P16 and P53 expression in ESCC in the South of Iran is significant, there is no statistically significant correlation between clinicopathologic findings and outcome in ESCC and expression of these 2 proteins to be considered as biomarkers. Results from other geographic areas of Iran and the world are also very controversial and inconsistent.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Genotype Distribution in Patients with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) in Iran

Background:

Currently, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), common laryngeal warts in the upper airway systems of children and adults are on the increase. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are suspected as causative agents. This study concerned HPV incidence and genotype distribution in Iranian RRP patients.

Methods:

Specimens were collected from RRP patients referred to hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, from Dec 2014 to Feb 2016 in a cross sectional study. After DNA extraction with an QIAamp^® DNA FFPE Tissue Kit, conventional PCR was performed and products were sequenced. INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra assays as another method for genotyping were conducted. CLC Main Workbench 5 and MEGA6 software as well as SPSS v.20 were used for further analysis.

Results:

Of the total of 12 patients, 6 (50%) were male. Total mean age (y) ± SD was 9.8±6.3. All RRP patients suffered from HPV infection, with HPV-6 found in 75% (9/12) and HPV-11 in 16.7% (2/12) and one co-infection by both HPV-6 and 11. Statistically, there were no correlations between demographic variables and HPV infection.

Conclusion:

The major cause of RRP is HPV genotypes 6 and 11 increasing the risk of a requirement for medical interventions. Broader studies are needed to clarify the major risk factors in RRP patients.

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

GOAL: To investigate the HPV prevalence and characterize the expression of potential molecular surrogate markers of HPV infection in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prevalence of HPV in individuals with and without esophageal cancer (EC) was determined by using multiplex PCR; p16 and p53 protein levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC).

RESULTS: High-risk HPV (hr-HPV) was found in the same frequency (13.8%) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and in healthy individuals. The p53 expression was positive in 67.5% of tumor tissue, 20.0% of adjacent non-tumoral tissue and 1.8% of normal esophageal tissue. p16 was positive in 11.6% of esophageal cancer cases and 4.7% of adjacent non-tumoral tissue. p16 was undetectable among control group samples. p53 and p16 levels were not significantly associated with the HPV status.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hr-HPV types are not associated with the development of ESCC and that p53 and p16 protein expression have no relationship with HPV infection in normal or cancerous esophagus.