Low incidence of cervical cancer in Utah

Utah has the highest birth rate in the nation, but cervical cancer incidence is 26% below the national average. This lower occurrence of cancer is accounted for by the Mormon population, which has incidence rates about 50% below those of the nation and of Utah non-Mormons. Reported venereal disease and illegitimacy rates are very low in Utah, which may explain low cervical cancer incidence. Invasive cervical cancer is higher in the rural than urban areas of Utah, in contrast to findings of other studies. Higher in situ incidence in the urban areas suggests more active cytologic screening, which may account for lower invasive rates. A socioeconomic gradient (though not as steep as found in other studies) is also demonstrated in the urban cervical cancer incidence data. These findings are consistent with the concept of cervical cancer as a venereal disease, and emphasize multiple sexual partners and premarital sexual activity in its etiology.     

The incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in patients with cervical carcinoma from Gdansk region

OBJECTIVES: We have estimated the incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in cervical smears of patients with cervical carcinoma, treated in 1997-1998 at the II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have examined 107 patients suffering from cervical cancer. The HPV DNA was detected with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using two primer pairs located in the E6, E7 open reading frames. HPV typing was executed by restriction fragments length polymorphism PCR (RFLP-PCR) method. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 75 (70.1%) patients. A group of patients with Ib (43%) and IIa (19.6%) clinical degrees made the highest percentage within the research group. We found no statistically significant differences between various clinical degrees of cervical cancer in the group of patients both HPV positive and negative. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of HPV especially HPV 16 type infection incidence in cervical carcinoma is lower in Gdansk region than currently published.     

The impact of anti HPV vaccination on cervical cancer incidence and HPV induced cervical lesions: consequences for clinical management

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Screening for cervical cancer is accomplished utilizing a Pap smear and pelvic exam. While this technology is widely available and has reduced cervical cancer incidence in industrialized nations, it is not readily available in third world countries in which cervical cancer incidence and mortality is high. Development of cervical cancer is associated with infection with high risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) creating a unique opportunity to prevent or treat cervical cancer through anti-viral vaccination strategies. Several strategies have been examined in clinical trials for both the prevention of HPV infection and the treatment of pre-existing HPV-related disease. Clinical trials utilizing prophylactic vaccines containing virus-like particles (VLPs) indicate good vaccine efficacy and it is predicted that a prophylactic vaccine may be available within the next five years. But, preclinical research in this area continues in order to deal with issues such as cost of vaccination in underserved third world populations. A majority of clinical trials using therapeutic agents which aim to prevent the progression of pre-existing HPV associated lesions or cancers have shown limited efficacy in eradicating established tumors in humans possibly due to examining patients with more advanced-stage cancer who tend to have decreased immune function. Future trends in clinical trials with therapeutic agents will examine patients with early stage cancers or pre-invasive lesions in order to prevent invasive cervical cancer. Meanwhile, preclinical studies in this field continue and include the further exploration of peptide or protein vaccination, and the delivery of HPV antigens in DNA-based vaccines or in viral vectors. Given that cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus, the prospect of therapeutic vaccination to treat existing lesions and prophylactic vaccination to prevent persistent infection with the virus are high and may be implemented in the near future. The consequences for clinical management may include a significant reduction in the frequency of Pap smear screening in the case of prophylactic vaccines, and the availability of less invasive and disfiguring treatment options for women with pre-existing HPV associated lesions in the case of therapeutic vaccines. Implementation of both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine regimens could result in a significant reduction of health care costs and reduction of worldwide cervical cancer incidence.     

Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping by HPV DNA chip in cervical cancer and precancerous lesions

OBJECTIVES: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-known cause of cervical cancer. HPV tests are used as an adjunct test to decrease the false-negative rate of cytological screening. However, attempts are being made to replace the cytological screening with HPV tests. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the possibility of using HPV tests as screening test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of the tests that were performed at the same time including the ThinPrep cytology, the high-risk group hybrid capture II (HC-II) test, the HPV DNA chip (HD-C) test, and a punch biopsy were compared in 400 women who were referred to us due to abnormal cytology or cervicogram. The accuracy of each test was then evaluated, and the type of virus was investigated using a HD-C test. RESULTS: The positive predictive values detected by the high-risk group HC-II test and HD-C test according to the histological diagnosis outcomes were 56.8 and 53.8%, respectively, for cervicitis; 91.5 and 91.5%, respectively, for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I (CIN I); 88.1% and 81.0%, respectively, for CIN II; 88.6 and 84.2%, respectively, for CIN III, and 92.5 and 88.7%, respectively, for cancer (in 53 patients). The most prevalent types of HPV according to the HPV tests were types 16, 58, 18, and 52 in which type 16 was detected in the more advanced lesions. The sensitivity was 88.4% for the ThinPrep cytology, 89.9% for the HC-II for the high-risk group, and 86.2% for the HD-C test. CONCLUSION: These results suggest the possibility of using the HC-II and HD-C tests as screening tests, which have a similar sensitivity as the ThinPrep cytology. Nonetheless, randomized controlled trials will be needed before the actual application of the HPV tests as screening tests. Despite the fact that the importance of HPV type 16 in cancer development was confirmed, the prevalence of types 58 and 52 were relatively high compared with those found in other studies, showing a need for further studies on this subject. These HPV types need to be considered in vaccine development.     

HPV 16 DNA occurrence in lymph nodes of patients with cervical carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the occurrence of DNA HPV 16 presence in lymph nodes of 25 patients undergoing abdominal operation for cervical carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence of HPV 16 DNA was detected during the preoperative diagnosis procedure by the PCR method. RESULTS: According to the histopathological examination, metastases in the lymph nodes were present in material from two patients. It was confirmed HPV 16 DNA was detected with PCP. We found also 6 patients with HPV 16 DNA in their lymph nodes without histological confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: We consider PCR detection of HPV DNA as a simple and useful support of pathology diagnosis.     

Anti-embryoglycan antibodies detected in sera of patients with uterine cervical cancer]

Embryoglycan is a high molecular weight glycopeptide, found abundantly in the cell surface of F9, stem cell clone derived from mouse teratocarcinoma. Many differentiation-associated antigens and receptors for lectins have been shown to be carried by embryoglycan. Furthermore, antibodies reacting with embryoglycan have been detected in the sera of patients with ovarian germ cell tumor. We investigated anti-embryoglycan antibodies in the sera of patients with uterine cervical cancer, considering the possibility of the appearance of embryoglycan-like antigen accompanied by malignant changes in the uterine cervix. Reaction between the patients' sera and embryoglycan (or F9 cells) was assayed by Farr's assay and an indirect immunofluorescence method. Among the patients with uterine cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma), 16 of 61 cases (26%) were positive in invasive cases, whereas early cases (14 cases) were all negative. Cases of benign ovarian tumor (23 cases), uterine myoma (25 cases) and 50 normal volunteers were all negative. The antigenic determinant of embryoglycan was found to be alpha-galactosyl residue since alpha-galactosidase-treated embryoglycan lost the activity to bind these antisera. However, the antigenic structure of alpha-galactosyl residue was shown to be distinct from the antigenic determinant of erythrocytes blood type B, but to some degree cross reacted with it, in an absorption test. These results indicate that an unusual alpha-galactosyl residue carried by embryoglycan is expressed on at least some uterine cervical cancer cells. Furthermore the immune system of patients produces antibodies reacting with the alpha-galactosyl residue of embryoglycan. It would be possible to use this method in monitoring patients' specific immune response.     

The level of antibody against E6 HPV 16 oncoprotein in blood sera of women with chronic HPV 16 infection and cervical cancer

The aim of this study was to estimate of the role of chronic HPV 16 infection and the presence of anti E6 HPV 16 in the initiation of the cancerogenesis process of cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included two groups of patients. The first group comprised 323 women observed for three consecutive years (1998-2000), in whom the presence of HPV 16 viruses was estimated by PCR, and the level of anti E6 HPV 16 antibodies was estimated in the plasma with ELISA. A similar test was performed in a group of 46 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 91 patients with invasive cervical cancer and 22 women after hysterectomy and RTG-therapy. RESULTS: In 32 patients, chronic HPV 16 infection showed a steady rise in the mean absorbance level of anti E6 HPV 16 antibodies from 0.04 in 1998 to 0.06 in 2000, while in HPV-negative women the mean absorbance value was 0.03-0.04. Mean absorbance value in patients with CIN III and invasive cancer rose with advancing stage of the cancer process and lowered after completion of oncological treatment. The values were 0.14, 0.33 and 0.13, respectively. CONCLUSION: The persistence of chronic HPV 16 infection and accompanying steady rise in absorbance index caused by an increase in the level of antiviral antibodies are a clear warning signal preceding in time the histological process of cancerogenesis.     

Primary HPV screening for cervical cancer

Cytology-based cervical screening had unequivocal success in reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in the last century. The recognition of the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) as a necessary cause of cervical cancer led to the development of HPV testing. Gradually, there has been a shift from reflex HPV testing for mild cytological abnormalities, to co-testing with cytology and HPV, and lately to primary HPV screening, based on evidence from well-designed large randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. Advantages of primary HPV screening include higher sensitivity to detect pre-neoplastic lesions, better re-assurance with a negative test, and safe prolongation of screening intervals. However, clinicians and policy makers must ensure the availability of clinically validated HPV assays and triage protocols of screen positive cases prior to implementation of primary HPV screening. This is likely to reduce potential harm from over-treatment as well as extra burden on the health care system.     

HPV16-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses are detected in all HPV16-positive cervical cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: The specific CTL response against human papillomavirus (HPV) antigens in women with cervical cancer has been poorly studied. Immunological monitoring of this response is central for understanding the principles that underlie successful immunotherapeutic strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate the HPV16 E6/E7-specific CTL immune response in a group of untreated HPV16-positive cervical cancer patients. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 21 untreated cervical cancer patients and 4 healthy controls were isolated prior to any therapy. Autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) were transiently transfected with HPV16 E6 or E7 expression vectors and used for one round of in vitro restimulation and as target cells in chromium release assays with restimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. RESULTS: Transfected monocyte-derived dendritic cells were differentiated to exhibit a fully mature phenotype. HPV16 E6 and E7 transgenes were expressed and translated as measured by RT-PCR and intracellular flow cytometry, respectively. All HPV16-associated cervical cancer patients showed evidence of specific CTLs. Lytic activity for HPV16 E6 (11/12) and/or E7 (8/9) was above 30% at the 100:1 effector to target ratio. None of the HPV16-negative cervical cancer patients or healthy controls were above 15% of lysis. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that HPV-specific cytolytic immune responses can be detected in all untreated cervical cancer patients. Our approach, using dendritic cells for restimulation and as target cells, may enhance immunomonitoring of cervical cancer patients.     

HPV genotyping from invasive cervical cancer in Chile

Objective

To determine the prevalence rates of the different HPV types in cervical cancer lesions in Chile to facilitate the development of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines effective for that country.

Method

Biopsy samples of 312 cervical cancer lesions were assessed for HPV type by reverse-line blotting assay.

Results

HPV DNA was found in 94.2% of the lesions, 67.2% harboring 1 viral type and the remainder harboring more than 1 type. HPV-16 was the most frequent type in single infections (50.5%), followed by HPV-18 (7.8%), HPV-31 (2.4%), and HPV-45 (2.0%). HPV-16 was also present in 98.7% of dual and multiple infections, its most frequent association being with HPV-18.

Conclusions

HPV types 16, 18, 31, and 45, alone or combined with other types, were observed in the biopsy samples of up to 80.5% of cervical cancer lesions.     

Detection of HPV genotypes in cervical lesions by the HPV DNA Chip and sequencing

OBJECTIVE: A newly introduced HPV detection technique in cervical lesion, the HPV DNA Chip test, contains 24 HPV probes and has the advantage of being able to detect 24 HPV types at once. We performed HPV DNA sequencing and compared the results with that of the HPV DNA Chip for evaluation of the accuracy of the DNA Chip test. METHODS: The HPV DNA sequencing was performed in samples of 282 patients, where specific HPV type had been shown in HPV DNA Chip test. The sixteen cases where multiple HPV types had been found in HPV DNA Chip test were included in 282 cases. The sequencing was also performed in HPV-other type samples of 95 patients, where positive in HPV-PCR, but specific HPV type had not been found. RESULTS: In 257 cases (91.1%) of 282 cases, the HPV types of the HPV DNA sequencing test were in agreement with types of the HPV DNA Chip. In 16 cases (5.7%), the sequencing types were different from the types of HPV DNA Chip. But, in 9 of 16 cases, types in HPV DNA sequencing were absent types in HPV DNA Chip test. The interpretation of HPV DNA sequencing was impossible in nine cases (3.2%). The HPV DNA sequencing test of 95 cases of HPV-other type showed that the sequencing types from 94 cases (98.9%) were absent types in HPV DNA Chip test. In sequencing test of HPV-other type, HPV-81 (20.0%), HPV-62 (14.7%), HPV-84 (13.7%), and HPV-61 (13.7%) were frequently detected. CONCLUSION: HPV DNA Chip is an accurate method for detecting the 24 HPV genotypes.     

Higher incidence of p53 mutation in cervical carcinomas with intermediate-risk HPV infection

OBJECTIVE: Inactivation of p53, either through mutation or interaction with human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncoprotein, is a characteristic feature of cervical carcinoma cell lines that have been previously studied. To elucidate the role of p53 in the carcinogenesis of Korean cervical carcinomas, 27 HPV-positive and 13 HPV-negative cervical carcinomas were studied in order to evaluate the status of the p53 gene. STUDY DESIGN: The HPV status was ascertained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using consensus primers designed from the E6 and E7 open reading frames (ORFs). The p53 mutation status was analyzed by direct sequencing of the PCR product in highly conserved exons 5-8. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the frequency of the p53 mutation between the HPV-positive and negative cases. All three mutations in the HPV-positive cases were associated with intermediate-risk viruses. The average age of the patients with the p53 mutation was 14 years older than that of patients without the p53 mutation. CONCLUSION: p53 mutations are higher in the so called intermediate-risk HPV positive than HPV 16 or 18 positive cervical carcinomas.     

Low serum selenium concentration in patients with cervical or endometrial cancer

Serum concentrations of selenium were determined in 37 patients with cervical and 64 patients with endometrial cancer. The patients had lower (P less than 0.001) serum concentrations of selenium than the age-, weight- and place of residence-matched paired control women. There was no difference in the selenium concentration between various age groups or different clinical stages of cervical or endometrial cancer. A low serum concentration of selenium might be a contributing factor in uterine carcinogenesis.     

HPV 16 DNA in autopsy material of a metastatic cervical carcinoma

Summary Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA has been regularly detected in primary cervical carcinomas and in some metastatic lesions. Using Southern blot hybridization on autopsy material we found HPV 16 DNA in a primary cervical carcinoma and in multiple metastases therefrom.