Prevalence of human papillomaviruses in lung carcinomas: a study of 218 cases

Mod Pathol. 2005 Dec;18(12):1606-9. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.3800472.

Abstract

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) are largely implicated in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinomas. Their role in bronchopulmonary carcinomas is still unclear. In the present study, we have explored 218 fresh frozen lung tumours for the presence of HPV with the Roche line blot assay and for the expression of mRNAs encoding E6 oncoprotein in HPV positive tumours. Only four samples were positive for HPV detection, one poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and three large cell carcinomas. E6 mRNA was undetectable in these four samples. Our data confirm the low prevalence of HPV in lung carcinomas in Western European countries and do not plead in favour of a carcinogenic role for HPV in these carcinomas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / etiology
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / virology*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • DNA Probes, HPV
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / virology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomaviridae / classification
  • Papillomaviridae / genetics
  • Papillomaviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Papillomavirus Infections / complications
  • Papillomavirus Infections / pathology
  • Papillomavirus Infections / virology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Probes, HPV
  • DNA, Viral
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Viral
  • UBE3A protein, human
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases