Human papillomavirus DNA and P16(INK4A) expression in concurrent esophageal and gastric cardia cancers

AIM:To investigate the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and concurrent esophagus and gastric cardia cancer from the same patient (CC) and examine the significance of P16 INK4A protein expression.METHODS:Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of HPV type16 (HPV16).The expression of P16 INK4A protein was detected using immunohistochemistry.RESULTS:Among the CC specimens,HPV16-DNA was found in eight cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and five cases of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA),respectively (47% vs 29%),and two of both ESCC and GCA.P16 INK4A was highly expressed in both ESCC and GCA.In the HPV-associated positive CC,higher P16 INK4A expression was observed in the GCA than in the ESCC (75% vs 25%,P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:HPV16 as a correlated risk factor may play an important role in the development of ESCC and GCA.P16 INK4A may be a screening index in the HPVassociated carcinoma of gastric cardia.