Human papillomavirus infection of non-melanoma skin cancers in immunocompetent hosts

Cancer Lett. 2000 Dec 8;161(1):83-8. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3835(00)00596-6.

Abstract

Human papilloma viruses (HPVs) consist of more than 70 different types and are known to be associated with numerous malignant tumors, including carcinomas of the mucosal and cutaneous epithelium. Non-melanoma skin carcinoma (NMSC) is the most frequently occurring malignancy worldwide in the Caucasian population. Most studies examining the involvement of papillomaviruses in the development of cutaneous carcinomas have been performed on lesions from patients with epidermodysplasia verruciformis or from immunosuppressed patients. Our specimens were obtained from 108 immunocompetent patients with benign and malignant skin lesions, and HPVs were detected in 27%. HPV 8 and HPV 18 were the most frequent types (62 and 48%, respectively). Our results suggest that HPVs, particularly the oncogenic potential of certain types such as HPV 8, 18, and 5 could contribute to the development of NMSCs.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / virology*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • Globins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Papillomaviridae / classification
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / immunology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Precancerous Conditions / genetics
  • Precancerous Conditions / immunology
  • Precancerous Conditions / virology
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / virology*
  • Tumor Virus Infections / immunology
  • Tumor Virus Infections / virology*

Substances

  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • DNA, Viral
  • Globins