Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in oesophageal cancer cases was found 0-67% depending on different methods and geographical variances. Complete pathological response was in 30% of cases after neoadjuvant chemo-radiation (CRX). The aim of this study was to discover a possible relation between HPV-infection and response.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
DNA was extracted from 26 oesophageal cancer patients undergoing CRX and surgery. PCR and Southern Blot hybridisation was used to detect HPV-infection (HPV-16 and -18). Clinicopathological parameters and disease-free survival and overall survival was also analysed.
RESULTS:
Complete response (26.9%) and partial response (38.5%) after CRX was correlated significantly with better prognosis. 6 patient had HPV-infection (3 from CR- and 3 from PR-group).
CONCLUSIONS:
There was a correlation between HPV-infection and response, but further analysis is necessary. Both responder-groups had significantly better prognosis than non-responders.