Distribution of HPV genotypes in 282 women with cervical lesions: evidence for three categories of intraepithelial lesions based on morphology and HPV type.

Previously we found differences in the distribution of the individual human papillomavirus types in cervical cancers and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. This suggested that there were differences in risk for progression of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions that were related to human papillomavirus type within the category of oncogenic genotypes. In this work, we add additional cases including low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. ThinPrep samples from 282 squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical cancers were categorized morphologically by consensus interpretation and genotyped for 27 individual human papillomavirus types by polymerase chain reaction-based reverse line blot analysis using PGMY09/PGMY11 consensus primers for the L1 open reading frame. The 27 human papillomavirus types were divided into three categories: high risk 16, 18, 31, 45; intermediate risk 33, 35, 39, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68, 73, 82, 83; and low risk: 6, 11, 26, 40, 42, 53, 54, 55, 57, 66, and 84. Of the 282 cases of cancer and squamous intraepithelial lesions, 95.7% were positive for one or more of 27 human papillomavirus types and 38.7% had two or more genotypes. Three major categories of squamous intraepithelial lesions were identified based upon the combination of consensus diagnosis and human papillomavirus category: (1) high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions associated with high-risk human papillomavirus types that appear to be at increased risk for progression to carcinoma; (2) squamous intraepithelial lesions (typically low-grade intraepithelial lesions and high-grade lesions consistent with moderate dysplasia) associated with intermediate risk human papillomavirus types with limited or indeterminate risk for progression; (3) low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions associated with low-risk human papillomavirus types with little or no risk for progression. Only a subset of human papillomavirus genotypes commonly considered to be oncogenic were closely associated with invasive cervical cancer and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions classed as severe dysplasia. Other oncogenic types were closely associated with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions of moderate dysplasia and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. This suggests that risk for progression to invasion in squamous intraepithelial lesions is closely related to human papillomavirus genotype. Knowledge of the associated human papillomavirus type in women with morphologic squamous intraepithelial lesions may help to clarify risk for progression.     

Prevalence of alpha-papillomavirus genotypes in cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive cervical carcinoma in the Italian population

The aim of the present investigation was to define the spectrum of mucosotropic human papillomaviruses among 414 Italian women with normal cervices (n = 183), low- and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (n = 101 and 65, respectively), and invasive squamous cervical carcinomas (n = 65). Human papillomaviruses were detected by broad spectrum consensus-primer-pairs MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+-based polymerase chain reaction using three amplification methods and were characterized by nucleotide sequence analysis. The prevalence rates of HPV infections was 19.7%, 63.4%, 80%, and 81.5% in patients with normal cervices, low-grade, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cervical carcinomas, respectively. Among the 205 HPV-positive patients, a total of 31 mucosal HPV genotypes were identified of which 16 types, epidemiological classified as high-risk viruses (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 66, 68, 73, and 82), have been found in 16.9%, 50.1%, 69.2%, and 78.5% of normal cervix, low-, and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions, and cervical carcinoma groups, respectively. As expected, the HPV16 was the most represented viral type in all groups examined with frequency rates ranging from 8.7% in normal subjects to 58.5% in invasive carcinoma patients. Ten epidemiologically defined low-risk HPV types (HPV6, 11, 42, 54, 61, 70, 71, 72, 81, 83) were detected in 2.7%, 7.9%, and 6.1% of normal cervix, low-, and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions, respectively, and in none of invasive carcinomas. Furthermore, five unknown risk viruses were detected in 3% of low-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (HPV30, 32, 67), in 3.1% of high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (HPV62, 90), and in 1.5% of cervical carcinomas (HPV62). Larger epidemiological screening studies, with PCR amplification and followed by either hybridization-based procedures against sequence targets of all known HPV types or sequence analysis studies, are needed in order to assess the epidemiological risk of less represented HPV types, to identify unknown viruses, and to monitor the future eventual spread of unusual viral types related to vaccination programs and/or population mobility.     

DNA hybridization for human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical lesions. Relationship of the presence of various viral subtypes to expression of HPV structural proteins, involucrin, and carcinoembryonic antigen

We studied cervical tissue from 20 patients with a variety of condylomatous, preneoplastic, and neoplastic lesions to detect various subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) at the molecular level by DNA hybridization. In addition, mirror image biopsy specimens were studied by an immunoperoxidase technique for the presence of HPV structural antigens, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and involucrin, as markers of disturbed maturation and/or neoplasia. Of the 20 patients studied, we were able to demonstrate the presence of either HPV 16 or 18, or both, in three of seven squamous carcinomas tested, and three of five dysplasias. Interestingly, two cases of squamous carcinoma and one moderate dysplasia demonstrated HPV types 6 and 11 concurrently with HPV 16 and/or 18. Four of six condylomas showed HPV subtypes 6/11, and only one condyloma showed weak hybridization with HPV 18. Human papillomavirus structural antigen was seen in three of eight condylomas, and three of five dysplasias, but not in any carcinoma. All condylomas showed intense staining for involucrin in full-thickness of the epithelium, but the high-grade dysplasias and carcinomas showed only focal or absence of staining for involucrin. Carcinoembryonic antigen was expressed in 50% of the carcinomas with a pattern similar to that seen with involucrin, but did not correlate with any particular subtype of HPV. The molecular hybridization method seems to be superior for the detection of HPV lesions, and possibly for the prediction of their biologic behavior.     

DNA of human papillomavirus type 16 in dysplastic and malignant lesions of the conjunctiva and cornea

Human papillomaviruses are receiving attention for their role in the pathogenesis of cancer, especially cancer of the anogenital tract. Although strains of human papillomavirus are associated with benign lesions of the conjunctiva, their association with conjunctival dysplastic lesions and carcinomas has remained unclear. We examined a group of neoplastic lesions of the conjunctiva for the presence of DNA sequences for human papillomavirus types 16 and 18, using in vitro gene amplification with the polymerase chain reaction. Tissue specimens of five conjunctival dysplastic lesions and one invasive carcinoma and swab specimens of the mucosa of both corneas of a patient with unilateral corneal dysplasia contained DNA sequences related to human papillomavirus type 16. All dysplastic specimens examined were positive for DNA sequences. Viral DNA was not detected in six control specimens from patients with conjunctival melanoma, papilloma, nevus, or pterygium. We conclude that DNA from human papillomavirus type 16 is present in a substantial percentage of conjunctival premalignant and malignant lesions. It may play a part in the development of conjunctival dysplasia and carcinoma, as it does in cancers of certain other body sites.     

Genotyping of human papillomavirus in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in a high-risk population

Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for 99.7% of cervical cancers, the second most prevalent neoplasia in women worldwide and the fifth leading cause of death by cancer in this population. In Chile, the incidence rate is 14.4 cases per 100,000 women per year and it is considered a significant public health problem. The natural history of cervical cancer begins gradually from low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to an invasive disease. In this study the frequency of HPV types was determined by HPV genotyping with reverse line blot hybridization in 200 cytobrushes of women with preneoplastic lesions in a high-risk population. HPV DNA was found in 89% of the lesions (83.3% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and 93.6% of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions). Multiple HPV infections were found in 14.4% and 15.5% of low- and high-grade lesions, respectively. HPV 16 was the most frequent genotype in single infections, followed by HPV 18. These results show that most of the preneoplastic lesions of the cervix (60%) were associated with HPV 16 and/or HPV 18, supporting the implementation of an HPV vaccination program in this high-risk population.     

Human papillomavirus DNA determination of anal condylomata, dysplasias, and squamous carcinomas with in situ hybridization

Infection with types 6, 11, 16, and 18 of the human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with condylomatous, dysplastic, or carcinomatous changes in the genital tract. Emerging evidence suggests that a similar series of lesions develops in the anal canal after exposure to the same HPV types. In situ hybridization was performed with the use of biotinylated DNA probes to HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18, so as to determine the frequency of HPV DNA in 45 perianal and/or anal condylomata, 6 anal intraepithelial neoplasias, and 13 anal squamous cell carcinomas. Of the 33 perianal and/or anal condylomata in which HPV DNA was detected, 13 contained HPV 6 and 11, 12 HPV 6, 7 HPV 11, and 1 HPV 6, 11, and 18. Two of four severe anal dysplasias contained HPV 16, whereas one case each of mild and moderate anal dysplasia contained HPV 6. No HPV DNA was detected in the anal squamous cell carcinomas. The study demonstrated the presence of HPV DNA in 73% of condylomata and 67% of anal dysplasias. The observations suggest that the cloacogenically derived anal epithelium is susceptible to infection by the same HPV types as infect the similarly derived epithelium of the lower female genital tract and that these HPV types result in some similar lesions, i.e., condylomata and dysplasias in both sites. A role in the genesis of anal cancer was not found in this study.     

Current concepts in the relationship of human papillomavirus infection to the pathogenesis and classification of precancerous squamous lesions of the uterine cervix

Pathologic and epidemiologic studies performed over the past three decades have provided evidence that the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix is a multistep process involving a precursor preinvasive stage. The results of recent molecular analyses now suggest that the human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in this process and is an important but insufficient factor in the development of invasive carcinoma. Infection by a variety of HPV types may result in active viral intranuclear replication without integration into the cellular genome. This episomal form of infection is manifested morphologically by the development of mild dysplasia, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 with koilocytosis and acanthosis. Approximately 20 different HPV types have been associated with CIN 1 lesions, whereas high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (CIN 2 and 3) are associated with only a few viral types (mainly HPVs 16, 31, 33, and 35). Low-grade lesions are differentiated and have a low risk of progression to cancer, whereas high-grade lesions are characterized by nearly complete or complete loss of squamous maturation and a higher risk of progression to invasive cancer. Based on the biologic dichotomy of an infectious and a neoplastic process and the segregation of HPV types into two groups, a modification of the CIN classification into low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in accordance with the Bethesda System is proposed. Although HPV plays a significant role in the development of cervical neoplasia, the value of identifying HPV DNA by such molecular techniques as Southern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and the polymerase chain reaction in the early detection of preinvasive lesions has not been determined and their routine use is not at present recommended.     

Epithelial lesions associated with invasive penile squamous cell carcinoma: a pathologic study of 288 cases

A heterogeneous spectrum of epithelial alterations and atypical lesions affect the squamous epithelium of penile mucosal anatomical compartments. Analogous to other genital sites, the terminology utilized to define the lesions is variable. The few pathologic studies of penile precancerous lesions are mostly related to carcinoma in situ and human papilloma virus (HPV), and the information on low-grade atypical lesions is limited. The objective of this study was to comprehensively describe the morphologic features of all epithelial alterations, benign and atypical, low grade and high grade, associated with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and to investigate their relation with each other and with subtypes of invasive carcinoma. We also propose herein a simple and reproducible nomenclature for penile precancerous abnormalities until more biological, molecular, or epidemiologic information on the lesions is available. Two hundred and eighty-eight penectomy and circumcision specimens with invasive squamous cell carcinoma were pathologically evaluated. Carcinomas were classified as usual, verrucous, papillary not otherwise specified, warty (condylomatous), basaloid, and mixed. Associated lesions were classified as squamous hyperplasia and squamous intraepithelial lesions of low and high grade (LGSIL and HGSIL). In LGSIL, atypia was confined to the lower third, and in HGSIL, atypical cells affected at least two thirds of the squamous epithelium. Subtypes of SIL were squamous, warty, basaloid, warty-basaloid, and papillary. Squamous hyperplasia, the most common lesion, was found in 83% of the cases, followed by LGSIL (59%) and HGSIL (44%). In 62% of the cases more than 1 associated lesion was present per specimen. A sequence from squamous hyperplasia to low-grade to high-grade SIL was seen frequently. Squamous hyperplasia was more commonly associated with usual squamous, papillary, and verrucous than with warty and basaloid invasive carcinomas. LGSIL was associated with all types of squamous cell carcinoma but was rarely present adjacent to basaloid or verrucous tumors. HGSIL was present in two thirds of invasive warty, basaloid, and mixed warty-basaloid tumors, in about half of usual squamous cell carcinomas, and was absent in papillary and verrucous carcinomas. Correlation of special types of invasive carcinomas with subtypes of SIL revealed morphologic correspondence of invasive tumor and the associated intraepithelial lesion. Squamous LGSIL was preferentially associated with verrucous, papillary, and usual squamous cell carcinomas; warty LGSIL, with invasive warty and mixed warty-basaloid carcinomas. High-grade SIL of the squamous type was frequently found in squamous cell carcinoma of usual type but was rarely present with warty or basaloid carcinomas. Basaloid HGSIL was associated with basaloid carcinoma, and HGSIL of warty type, with either warty or mixed warty-basaloid carcinomas. The high frequency of squamous hyperplasia and LGSIL and preferential association with usual, verrucous, and papillary carcinomas plus the subtle morphologic differences of the 2 lesions suggest that, despite its benign appearance, squamous hyperplasia is a precursor of the aforementioned carcinomas. The association and histologic similarities between high-grade SIL of the basaloid, warty, or mixed forms with their invasive counterparts indicate these lesions are their likely precursors.     

Histological characteristics of human papilloma-virus-positive and -negative invasive and in situ squamous cell tumours of the penis

A high prevalence of cervical cancer associated high-risk types of human papillomavirus (hrHPV) has been demonstrated in premalignant and invasive squamous cell lesions of the penis, but large studies correlating histological characteristics with HPV status are few in number. Tumour tissues from 145 patients with invasive ( n  = 116) or in situ ( n  = 29) penile squamous cell carcinoma were subjected to systematic histological evaluation and were PCR-tested for 14 hrHPV types and 23 low-risk HPV types. Around half (52%) of invasive and nine-tenths (90%) of in situ lesions were positive for an hrHPV type, of which HPV 16 was by far the predominant type (91% of hrHPV-positive lesions). In relation to histological characteristics, hrHPV positivity was statistically significantly more common in high-grade tumours, lesions dominated by small tumour cells, lesions with a high number of multinucleated cells and mitoses, and lesions with a small amount of parakeratosis. In conclusion, about half of invasive penile squamous carcinomas in this study were hrHPV-positive, most notably to HPV 16, and probably arose through in situ lesions whereas the other half of invasive penile lesions appeared to be unrelated to hrHPV. A number of histological characteristics differed significantly between hrHPV-positive and -negative invasive penile carcinomas.     

Deceiving high-grade cervical dysplasias identified as human papillomavirus non-16 and non-18 types by Invader human papillomavirus assays

High-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (HGCINs) are easily diagnosed by established histologic criteria. However, we encountered problematic cases that are difficult to diagnose because features intermediate between dysplasia and metaplasia are present. p16 and Ki-67 immunostains proved HGCIN in these difficult and unusual cases. Because these are unusual cases of cervical dysplasia, we decided to type the human papillomavirus (HPV) using the Invader HPV test with analyte-specific reagents developed by Third Wave Technologies (Madison, WI, USA) (a new HPV screening assay applicable to tissue and amenable to rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of 14 high- to intermediate-risk HPV types) and a panel of immunostains. Results of these difficult cases are compared with classic HGCIN cases. We searched our pathology files over a period of 16 months for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III, and p16. To identify cases of difficult HGCIN with features intermediate between dysplasia and metaplasia, we reviewed all surgical cases of HGCIN that required p16 and Ki-67 diagnosis confirmation. Cases of interest were also stained with ProExC. Human papillomavirus screening and HPV 16/18 typing were performed by the Invader assays as described previously. Ten cases of classic HGCIN were easily diagnosed by hypercellularity, significant atypia, mitotic figures, and diffuse staining by p16, Ki67 and ProExC. The Invader assay identified HPV 16 (A9 positive/HPV16 positive) in 7 of 10 cases; the 3 others were A7 positive/not HPV18 (1) and A9 positive/not HPV16 (2). Eight cases of difficult HGCIN were identified. These showed only mild-to-moderate cellularity, a lack of significant atypia, absent-to-rare mitotic figures, and diffuse staining by p16, Ki-67, and ProExC. Human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 5 of 8 cases: only 1 was A9 positive/HPV16 positive, 1 was A5/A6 positive, 1 was A7 positive/not HPV18, and 2 were A9 positive/not HPV16. Three remaining cases demonstrated sufficient DNA to be analyzed by the Invader assay, but results were negative. This is a poorly recognized unusual group of cervical HGCIN with features intermediate between dysplasia and metaplasia that is easily confused by histologic examination. Immunostains prove the high-grade nature of these lesions, and Invader assay demonstrates association with HPV types other than 16/18 (ie, other HPV types detected by Invader assay). In this study, we present an unusual group of cases of high-grade dysplasia, not recognized by hematoxylin and eosin but identified by Ki67 and P16. It is very important to emphasize that this unusual group of high-grade dysplasias is associated with high-risk HPV but with types other than 16/18.     

Distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes in Paraguayan women according to the severity of the cervical lesion

The incidence of cervical cancer in Paraguay is among the highest in the world. This study aimed to determine the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes in Paraguayan women, according to the severity of the cervical lesion. This cross-sectional study included 207 women without a squamous intraepithelial lesion, 164 with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 74 with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 41 with cervical cancer. Type-specific HPV was determined by the polymerase chain reaction with MY9/11 L1 and GP5+/GP6+ L1 primers, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and reverse line blotting hybridization, respectively. In total, 12 high-risk and 24 low-risk HPVs types were detected. HPV 16 was the most prevalent, followed by HPV 18 in cervical cancer (14.6%), HPV 31 in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (14.9%), HPVs 58/42 in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (9.1% each), and HPVs 31/58 (2.4% each) in women without squamous intraepithelial lesions. Among 285 positive samples, 24.2% harbored multiple HPV types, being this more prevalent in women with squamous intraepithelial lesions (30.8% in low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 22.5% in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 22.0% in cervical cancer) than in women without lesions (9.3%). The higher prevalence of HPV 16 and other high-risk HPVs in women both with and without cervical lesions may explain the high incidence of cervical cancer in Paraguay. This information may be of importance for local decision makers to improve prevention strategies. In addition, these results may be useful as baseline pre-vaccination data for a future virological surveillance in Paraguay.     

Distribution of basement membrane in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

The immunohistologic distribution of the basement membrane components, type IV collagen and laminin, was evaluated in 57 alcohol-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections which demonstrated immunostaining patterns with antigen preservation similar to that of frozen tissue sections. Normal and hyperplastic squamous mucosa, a spectrum of intraepithelial neoplasia, and invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract were evaluated by this technique. Prominent and continuous basement membrane staining characterized normal and reactive hyperplastic squamous mucosa. The basement membrane varied greatly with epithelial dysplasia and was usually prominent and continuous in mild to moderate dysplasias. In severe dysplasia/carcinoma in situ, the basement membrane was often thinned and occasionally discontinuous. The distribution of basement membrane in invasive carcinomas was also varied. Basement membrane was usually present in invasive tumors with well-defined tumor host borders and cohesive patterns of stromal invasion which were interpreted as foci of histologic differentiation. In contrast, invasive carcinomas with irregular cords or single tumor cells distributed through the host stroma invariably lacked basement membrane at the tumor-stromal interface; this was interpreted as a decreased expression of histologic differentiation. We conclude that 1) severe intraepithelial neoplasia is often associated with irregularities of basement membrane and that the absence of basement membrane does not necessarily define invasive cancer; 2) immunolocalization of basement membrane in invasive carcinomas is common in areas displaying histologic differentiation; and 3) the association of basement membrane distribution and histologic pattern of tumor invasion suggests that squamous cell carcinomas are capable of undergoing focal histologic differentiation after invasion has occurred.     

Detection of human herpes virus type 6 DNA in precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix

Human herpes virus type 6 (HHV-6) DNA has been suggested to be a cofactor to human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancer. In a cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between HHV-6 DNA detected in cervical brushings and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), while controlling for genital infection with 27 genotypes of HPV. Of the 320 women recruited from an oncologic gynecology clinic, 50 had invasive cervical cancer, 65 had HSIL, 80 had low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), and 125 were normal. Four of the seven HHV-6-positive women had HSIL. HHV-6 was associated with HSIL after adjusting for age and socioeconomic status (odds ratio [OR] of 10.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-107.1). This association was no longer significant after controlling for HPV (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 0.3-128.5). HHV-6 was detected in cervical samples from women with precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix, but not significantly more frequently than in normal women.     

Natürlicher Verlauf der HPV-Infektion Nutzen der HPV-Analytik in der Zervixdiagnostik

Cervical carcinomas and their precursors (cervical dysplasia, CIN1-3) are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Epidemiological and in vitro-studies have shown that some of the genital HPV types, the high risk-types 16, 18, 31 etc., code for proteins (E6/E7) which strongly influence the cell cycle and genome stability. Progression from weak to severe dysplasia and to invasive cancer is associated with increasing expression of these viral oncogenes. Which additional cofactors contribute to progression of some dysplasias to carcinomas is still a matter of investigation. Recent results point to genetic predisposition (p53 polymorphism), cellular immune reaction, and cytokine expression. For HPV detection in cervical swabs and biopsies two highly sensitive and reliable systems (PCR, Hybrid Capture system) are available. Although classical histological methods are sufficient for the diagnosis of high-grade lesions and invasive cancer, HPV testing might give valuable diagnostic and prognostic clues especially in cases of unclear cytology (ASCUS) or weak dysplasia.     

Easy and fast detection and genotyping of high-risk human papillomavirus by dedicated DNA microarrays

Persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is correlated with an increased risk of developing a high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesion. A two-step method was developed for detection and genotyping of high-risk HPV. DNA was firstly amplified by asymmetrical PCR in the presence of Cy3-labelled primers and dUTP. Labelled DNA was then genotyped using DNA microarray hybridization. The current study evaluated the technical efficacy of laboratory-designed HPV DNA microarrays for high-risk HPV genotyping on 57 malignant and non-malignant cervical smears. The approach was evaluated for a broad range of cytological samples: high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and atypical squamous cells of high-grade (ASC-H). High-risk HPV was also detected in six atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) samples; among them only one cervical specimen was found uninfected, associated with no histological lesion. The HPV oligonucleotide DNA microarray genotyping detected 36 infections with a single high-risk HPV type and 5 multiple infections with several high-risk types. Taken together, these results demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of the HPV DNA microarray approach. This approach could improve clinical management of patients with cervical cytological abnormalities.     

High Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Viral Load of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus: Significant Correlations in Patients of 22 Years Old or Younger

High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is recognized as the primary cause for the development of cervical cancers and their precursor lesions. We investigated whether high-grade cervical dysplasia correlates with high viral load of HR-HPV in an age-dependent manner. Cases were retrospectively selected to include patients with a prior cytological diagnosis of ASCUS or higher grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and a positive Digene Hybrid Capture II (HC-II) HR-HPV testing within 2 months before or after cervical biopsy. The quantitative viral load data was classified as negative, low, moderate and high according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Cases were then stratified into 4 age groups: ≤22 years, 23-30 years, 31-40 years and >40 years. Chi-Square analysis and logistic regression were performed where appropriate. A total of 995 patients were identified. Age categories were significantly associated with HPV loads (p=0.046). Moderate to high viral loads of HPV were significantly related to the histological grade of dysplasia (p=0.029). Logistic regression analysis further confirmed the association of HPV with histological grades, even after adjusting for age factor. In particular, high-grade dysplasia (p=0.011) but not low grade dysplasia (p=0.140) was significantly associated with moderate to high HPV loads. Patients of 22 years old or younger were the only group found significantly correlated with high viral loads of HPV (p=0.015). In conclusion, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and patients’ age of 22 years old or younger are significantly associated with a moderate to high viral load of HR-HPV.     

Divergent expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 during uterine cervical carcinogenesis

L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is a Na?-independent neutral amino acid transporter that has an essential role in cell proliferation. Although LAT1 expression is observed in various tumor cell lines and immunohistochemical expression of LAT1 has been investigated in carcinomas of various organs, LAT1 expression in uterine cervical neoplasm has not been reported. Therefore, in the present study, we immunohistochemically analyzed LAT1 expression along with the well-known markers of cervical carcinogenesis Ki-67 and p16 in normal uterine cervical mucosa (49 specimens) as well as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (17 mild or moderate dysplasias and 19 severe dysplasias or carcinomas in situ) and invasive carcinomas (17 squamous cell carcinomas and 9 adenocarcinomas). LAT1 expression was limited to the basal layer of normal squamous epithelium, and it was significantly decreased in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (P < .001), generally paralleled by increased expression of Ki-67 and p16. Interestingly, in invasive squamous cell carcinoma, LAT1 expression again increased especially at the invasive fronts (P < .001), whereas Ki-67 and p16 expressions were almost unchanged relative to noninvasive neoplasia. Although virtually no LAT1 expression was demonstrated in normal uterine cervical glands, LAT1 expression was observed in some adenocarcinomas (P < .001). The present study suggests that LAT1 expression decreases because of human papillomavirus infection as reflected by p16 overexpression in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, whereas LAT1 expression in invasive carcinoma is associated with acquired malignant potential.     

Detection and typing of human papillomavirus DNA by PCR using consensus primers in various cervical lesions of Korean women

The association between cervical cancers and human papillomavirus (HPV) is now well established. To estimate the extent of infection with common HPVs among Korean women, we have examined 224 cervical scrapes of various cervical lesions. Detection and typing of HPVs were done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using consensus primers followed by restriction enzyme digestion and PCR using type-specific primers. The prevalence of total HPV infection in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer were significantly higher than those in healthy women and patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). HPV typing in 41 invasive carcinomas of the cervix revealed the prevalence of HPV 16 in 15 cases, followed by HPV 58, 18, 33, 31, 52 and 35. The distribution pattern of HPV types in CIN were not much different from carcinomas. HPV types except HPV 18 had a tendency to show higher prevalence in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) than low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), however, HPV 18 was detected in LSIL but not in HSIL. HPV 18 tended to have the worse clinical stage, although it was not statistically significant. These findings suggest the importance of HPV typing other than HPV 16 and 18 and a different clinicopathologic significance of HPV 18.