Genomic diversity and evolution of papillomaviruses in rhesus monkeys.

We are studying the diversity of and relationships among papillomaviruses (PVs) to understand the modes and timescales of PV evolution and in the hope of finding animal PVs that may serve as model systems for disease caused by human PVs (HPVs). Toward this goal, we have examined 326 genital samples from rhesus monkeys and long-tailed macaques with a PCR protocol optimized for detecting genital HPV types. In 28 of the rhesus monkey samples, we found amplicons derived from 12 different and novel PV genomes, RhPV-a to RhPV-m, with the likely taxonomic status of "type." The frequency with which novel RhPVs were detected suggests that rhesus monkeys may play host to PVs with a diversity similar to that of humans. In phylogenetic trees, all 12 of the different RhPVs and the previously described type RhPV-1 were members of the genital HPV supergroup and formed three minor branches distinct from the 11 branches formed by genital HPVs. We also identified a novel PV amplicon, MfPV-a, from a long-tailed macaque, a species belonging to the same genus as rhesus monkeys. MfPV-a turned out to be a close relative of five RhPVs. It appears that the evolution of primate lineages leading to the genus Macaca and to humans created transmission barriers for PVs, resulting in viral evolution closely linked to the host. Additional support for the linked-evolution hypothesis comes from considering the phylogenetic association of two other ape and monkey PVs with the genital HPVs, the supergroup formed by at least seven ungulate PVs, and the isolated phylogenetic position of the only known bird PV.     

Biology of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their role in squamous cell carcinogenesis

Current data implicating the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in squamous cell carcinogenesis may be summarised as follows: animal models have shown that PVs can induce malignant transformation; HPV involvement in both benign and malignant human squamous cell tumours has been demonstrated by morphological, immunohistochemical and DNA hybridisation techniques; HPV infections in the genital tract are venereally transmitted and are associated with the same risk factors as cervical carcinoma; the natural history of cervical HPV lesions is similar to that of CIN, namely, they have the potential to develop into carcinoma in situ; malignant transformation of PV-induced lesions seems to depend on virus type and the physical state of its DNA, e.g., whether or not it is integrated in the host cell DNA; malignant transformation most probably requires synergistic actions between the PVs and chemical or physical carcinogens, or other infectious agents; genetic disposition (at least in animals) significantly contributes to malignant transformation; immunological defence mechanisms of the host are probably capable of modifying the course of PV infections (efficacy in man remains to be elucidated). Many details of the molecular mechanisms, however, still remain to be clarified. Although BPV1 is capable of transforming fibroblasts, the way that papillomaviruses transform epithelial cells is unclear. Which gene is capable of inducing the limited cell proliferation in benign lesions? No model systems exist to provide the answer nor to elucidate the progression to malignant cells and then to invasive cancer. Improved tissue culture systems for in vitro differentiation of keratinocytes should help in elucidating the biology of papillomaviruses and their interaction with cell division and differentiation.     

生殖道感染与宫颈癌及宫颈癌前病变的相关性研究

目的:探讨生殖道感染与宫颈癌、宫颈癌前病变的相关性及危险因素分析。方法:选取我院收治的185例宫颈癌及宫颈癌前病变患者和同期206例健康体检者分为两组,对人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)、沙眼衣原体(CT)、细菌性阴道病(BV)、阴道滴虫进行检测,观察分析相应病原微生物导致的生殖道感染与宫颈癌及宫颈癌前病变的关系,同时根据HPV不同基因型在宫颈癌及宫颈癌前病变中的致癌作用和程度,判定危险程度。结果:宫颈癌及宫颈癌前病变患者上述指标感染检出率明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.000、0.001、0.000、0.037),其中高危HPV感染率随宫颈上皮内瘤变级别的升高而呈明显上升趋势,CINⅠ～Ⅲ级感染率分别为57.1%、78.6%和82.9%,宫颈癌感染率最高达91.1%,高危HPV为高危因素。结论:生殖道HPV、CT、BV、滴虫感染与宫颈癌及CIN存在必然或一定相关性,加强对妇女生殖道病原体感染的重视和检测对防治宫颈癌及CIN具有积极意义。     

安康地区人乳头瘤病毒感染特征及其与宫颈癌的关系研究

目的:调查安康地区女性人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染的基因型别及年龄分布特征,分析其与宫颈癌的关系,为宫颈癌防治及HPV疫苗研发提供可靠的依据。方法:收集2010年6月-2012年8月间在本院及安康市部分县级医院妇产科就诊的2736名女性的液基细胞学和组织学标本,分为8个年龄组:16-24岁119例、25-29岁230例、30-34岁343例、35-39岁472例、40-44岁574例、45-49岁512例、50-54岁206例、55-86岁280例,进行病理学分类及HPV分型检测,分析不同年龄组及不同类型宫颈组织中的HPV感染率。结果:2736例女性中发生HPV感染720例(26.32%),共检出21种型别,感染率最高的基因型别是HPV16(25.05%),其他常见型别依次为HPV58、HPV52、HPV6、HPV11。单一感染占76.25%,多重感染占23.75%。HPV感染率在16-24岁、35-39岁和55-86岁三个年龄段出现高峰;而高危型HPV的感染率在35-39岁和55-86岁两个年龄段分别出现高峰。HPV的检出率随着宫颈病变的严重程度而增加,其中正常或炎症人群的HPV感染率显著低于宫颈病变及宫颈鳞状细胞癌患者(均P0.05),且意义未明的不典型鳞状细胞(ASCUS)、CIN1-3及宫颈鳞状细胞癌患者的HPV感染率对比结果存在显著差异(P0.05)。CIN1组、CIN2-CIN3组及宫颈鳞状细胞癌组单一感染率逐渐增加(P0.05),且其二重、三重感染率比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:安康地区HPV16型别感染较广,临床需加强对HPV16型单一感染宫颈病变患者的癌症预防工作。     

宫颈癌患者人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)主要型别及其感染研究

本文探讨了江西省和广东省宫颈癌患者人乳头瘤病毒(Human papillomavirus,HPV)感染及其型别分布,分析了高危型HPV对各种宫颈病变的感染情况,为宫颈癌的早期发现和临床诊治提供科学依据。首先采用细胞学、HPV DNA检测(第二代杂交捕获法,HC2)、电子阴道镜和宫颈化学着色方法筛查宫颈癌患者,经病理镜检确诊,然后用GP PCR-SBT法对宫颈癌患者进行HPV基因分型。江西省溪口镇、古市镇及修水县城宫颈癌癌前病变发生率为5．7‰。HC2方法发现宫颈癌患者13种高危型HPV DNA阳性率为89．9％,宫颈上皮内瘤样病变的为84．8％,对照组为24．5％。采用GP PCR-SBT方法进行基因分型发现,江西省宫颈癌患者存在HPV16、58、31、33、18、66、6、11、56和81十种型别,其中HPV81型在国内外鲜有报道。据此提出生殖道高危型HPV感染是妇女宫颈癌发病的重要因素。并发现江西省宫颈癌高发区妇女高危型HPV感染率为24．5％。建立了HPV基因分型的方法,对HPV致宫颈病变的分子机制进行了分析。     

Strategies against human papillomavirus infection and cervical cancer

Papillomaviruses infect a wide variety of animals, including humans. The human papillomavirus (HPV), in particular, is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted disease. More than 200 types of HPV have been identified by DNA sequence data, and 85 HPV genotypes have been well characterized to date. HPV can infect the basal epithelial cells of the skin or inner tissue linings, and are, accordingly, categorized as either cutaneous or mucosal type. HPV is associated with a panoply of clinical conditions, ranging from innocuous lesions to cervical cancer. In the early 1980s, studies first reported a link between cervical cancer and genital HPV infection. Genital HPV infections are now recognized to be a major risk factor in at least 95% of cervical cancers. 30 different HPV genotypes have been identified as causative of sexually transmitted diseases, most of which induce lesions in the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, and anus, as the result of sexual contact. There is also direct evidence demonstrating that at least four of these genotypes are prerequisite factors in cervical cancer. The main aim of this review was to evaluate the current literature regarding the pathovirology, diagnostics, vaccines, therapy, risk groups, and further therapeutic directions for HPV infections. In addition, we reviewed the current status of HPV infections in South Korean women, as evidenced by our data.     

Opportunities to improve the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causal agent for approximately 5.3% of cancers worldwide, including cervical cancer, and subsets of genital and head and neck cancer. Persistent HPV infection is a necessary, but not sufficient, cause of cervical cancer. Of the >100 HPV genotypes, only about a dozen, termed "high-risk", are associated with cancer. HPV-16 is present in approximately 50% of all cervical cancers and HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31 and HPV-45 together account for approximately 80%. Most high-risk HPV infections are subclinical, and are cleared by the host's immune system. The remainder produces low or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs), also called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which also may regress spontaneously. However persistent high grade SIL represents the precursor lesion of cervical cancer and carcinogenic progression is associated with integration of the viral DNA, loss of E2 and upregulation of viral oncogene expression, and chromosomal rearrangements like 3q gain. Cytologic screening of the cervix for SIL and intervention has reduced the incidence of cervical cancer in the US by an estimated 80% and HPV viral DNA and other molecular tests may improve screening further. The licensure of a preventive HPV vaccine ushers in a new era, but issues remain, including: protection restricted to a few oncogenic HPV types, access in low resource settings and impact on current cytologic screening protocols. Importantly, preventive HPV vaccination does not help with current HPV infection or disease. Here we examine the potential of second-generation preventive HPV vaccines and therapeutic HPV vaccination to address these outstanding issues.     

HPV-DNA 亚型检测联合液基细胞学对宫颈癌 筛查的临床价值

目的:探讨HPV-DNA亚型检测联合液基细胞学对宫颈癌筛查的临床价值.方法:对自愿接受宫颈癌筛查的女性1462例作为研究对象,分别对其进行HPV-DNA亚型检测以及液基细胞学的检查,对于出现阳性的患者进行病理组织学检查.结果:HPV+TCT对宫颈癌早期病变以及癌变的检出率为69.67％明显高于HPV检查的56.28％以及TCT检查的63.89％(P＜0.05);HPV+TCT对GIN Ⅰ、CIN Ⅱ、CINⅢ、癌的检出率分别为91.67％,92.86％、91.67％以及100％.结论:采用HPV-DNA亚型检测联合液基细胞学对宫颈癌筛查,可明显提高其对癌前病变的检出率,是一种高效、简单的检测方法.     

Outcomes of women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and high-risk human papillomavirus DNA

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 or 3 in women with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) cytology over a 2-year period using the 2001 Bethesda System and ThinPrep Paps. STUDY DESIGN: In 2002, 846 patients with ThinPrep cervical cytology having an ASCUS interpretation and positive for high-risk HPV DNA were identified. A cohort of 514 (60.8%) patients with follow-up by repeat cytology, cervical biopsy or both was included in the study. Patient age was 12-81 years, with a median of 25 years. RESULTS: There were 291 women (56.6%) with negative status by cytology, HPV testing or biopsy with a median interval of 8.5 months, and an additional 174 patients (33.9%) had persistent ASCUS, positive HPV DNA or low-grade SIL/CIN 1. Finally, 49 patients (9.5%) had CIN 2 or 3, with a median interval of 8.5 months. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that HSIL or CIN 2 or 3 will be detected in 1 in 10 women with HPV-positive index ASCUS cervical cytology at initial colposcopy or within a 2-year follow-up period.     

人乳头状瘤病毒DNA检测在宫颈病变筛查中的应用研究

目的：探讨高危型人乳头状瘤病毒（HR-HPV）DNA检测方法在宫颈病变筛查中的应用意义。方法：580例妇女同时进行薄层液基细胞学（TCT）、第2代杂交捕获法（HC Ⅱ）和阴道镜下宫颈组织活检,并以病理组织学检查结果作为确诊标准进行对比分析。结果：①580例受检者中病理诊断为炎症207例（35.69%）,CIN Ⅰ 224例（38.62%）,CIN Ⅱ 96例（16.55%）,CIN Ⅲ 38例（6.55%）,浸润癌15例（2.58%）;②TCT检测异常者中炎症52例（25.12%）,CIN Ⅰ 177例（79.02%）,CIN Ⅱ 85例（88.54%）,CIN Ⅲ36例（94.74%）,浸润癌15例（100%）,其中CIN Ⅱ和CIN Ⅲ组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但显著高于炎症组和CIN Ⅰ组,低于湿润癌组（P〈0.01或0.05）;③HPV DNA检测阳性者中炎症66例（31.88%）,CIN Ⅰ 152例（67.86%）,CIN Ⅱ 83例（86.46%）,CINIII 35例（92.11%）,浸润癌组15例（100%）,除CIN Ⅱ和CIN Ⅲ组间差异无显著性外（P〉0.05）,其余各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05或0.01）,且HPV-DNA检测阳性组CIN和浸润癌发病率明显高于阴性组（P〈0.01）;④30岁以下高危险型HPV感染率（65.53%）显著高于30岁以上34.47%感染率（P〈0.01）;⑤联合应用TCT、HPV-DNA检测诊断宫颈癌及癌前病变的敏感度和特异度分别为96.14%和69.28%,高于TCT或HPV-DNA的单独检测。结论：宫颈高危险型HPV感染是CIN及宫颈癌的主要发病因素,并与病变严重程度密切相关,而HPV-DNA和TCT联合应用可提高宫颈癌及癌前病变的检出率。     

Genital human papillomavirus testing by in situ hybridization in liquid atypical cytologic materials and follow-up biopsies

OBJECTIVE: To describe cases of HPV testing by DNA in situ hybridization performed on atypical cervicovaginal samples collected by a liquidsed method that were negative for HPV DNA on cytology but revealed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia on follow-up biopsies. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred ninety-five consecutive SurePath atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytologic samples from asymptomatic, reproductive-age women were tested for human papillomaviruses (HPVs) by the in situ hybridization (ISH) method (Ventana Inform HPV Test, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A). One hundred (25%) cases underwent follow-up colposcopic biopsy within 3 months of cytology. All the tests (cytology, ISH, histology) were independently evaluated without knowledge of the other tests. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two (33%) cytologic samples were positive for HPVs. Of a total of 100 (HPV positive and negative) follow-up biopsies, 55 were positive for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Fourteen cases of biopsy-proven CIN tested negative for all HPV types in the prior cytologic samples. Retesting of the 14 CIN tissues by ISH was negative in 10, positive for HPV in 2 and inconclusive in 2. CONCLUSION: There is a small but significant (14%) false negative rate with HPV testing by the Ventana ISH method. Clinically suspicious cases should be followed even if an HPV test is negative.     

Prevalence and correlation of human papillomavirus genotypes with clinical factors in cervical samples from Mexican women

In the last decade, the inclusion of HPV DNA testing in cervical cancer screening has provided one of the best strategies for the prevention and timely detection of HPV. We conducted a high-throughput HPV genotyping study based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to determine the prevalence of 24 HPV genotypes, including oncogenic genotypes, in Mexican women and correlated the results with cytological findings and clinical variables. We likewise identified the risk factors in patients with the HPV infection. Our study included 1000 women from Sonora, Mexico, who participated in cervical cancer screening campaigns and who underwent a Pap smear and HPV DNA test. The results showed that the overall prevalence of HPV was 27.2%, 18.5% with single, and 8.7% multiple infections. The low-risk HPV genotype 6 (8.5%) and oncogenic genotypes 31 (8.1%) and 53 (4.4%) were the most prevalent in the study population. The number of lifetime sexual partners, previous STIs, and age at first intercourse was significantly associated with HPV infection (P ≤ 0.05). Smoking (OR = 1.5609; 95% IC 1.062–2.292) and more than three lifetime sexual partners (OR = 1.609; 95% IC = 1.124–2.303) represented risk factors for HPV infection. Cytological abnormalities were found in 3.4% of the HPV-positive samples. CIN 1–3 occurred in 0.6% of high-risk HPV cases. In general, the prevalence of the HPV genotypes is high in Mexican women with normal cytological findings. This issue highlights the importance of HPV research in seemingly healthy women and could help guide screening strategies for cervical cancer prevention in Mexico.Impact statementWe are submitting data regarding the prevalence and type distribution of the HPV infection and the risk factors associated with it, which may provide a valuable reference to reinforce screening strategies, and to maintain HPV genotype surveillance in Mexico. We discuss the overall prevalence of HPV infection as detected in normal cytological samples stratified by age, different types of infection, and oncogenic capacity. One of the most important findings was that common HPV genotypes detected in healthy women were the genotype numbers: 6, 31, 16, and 56, likewise, smoking and having a history of more than three sexual partners over their lifetime, represented the main risk factors in this study. Furthermore, we found a low frequency of cytological abnormalities and CIN 1–3 in women with HR-HPV.     

Human Papillomavirus Prevalence in a Population of Women Living in Port-au-Prince and Leogane,Haiti

Background

There have been no published studies of carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV)--the necessary cause of cervical cancer--in Haiti, a nation that has one of the greatest burdens of cervical cancer globally.

Objective

Characterize prevalence of carcinogenic HPV and the prevalence of individual carcinogenic HPV genotypes in women with cervical precancer or cancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) or more severe (CIN2+).

Methods

Women (n=9,769; aged 25-60 years) were screened for carcinogenic HPV by Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2; Qiagen, Gaithersburg, MD). Carcinogenic HPV positives underwent colposcopy and visible lesions were biopsied. A subset of carcinogenic HPV positives was tested for individual HPV genotypes using a GP5+/6+ assay.

Results

The prevalence of carcinogenic HPV was 19.0% (95% confidence interval: 18.4%-19.9%) and decreased with increasing age (p_trend < 0.001). Women with 3 or more sexual partners and who started sex before the age of 18 years had twice the age-adjusted prevalence of carcinogenic HPV of women with one partner and who started sex after the age of 21 (24.3% vs. 12.9%, respectively). HPV16 and HPV35 were the most common HPV genotypes detected in CIN2+ and more common in women with CIN2+ than those without CIN2+. HPV16 and/or HPV18 were detected in 21.0% of CIN2 (n = 42), 46.2% of CIN3 (n = 52), and 80% of cancers (n = 5).

Conclusions

The prevalence of carcinogenic HPV in Haiti was much greater than the prevalence in other Latin American countries. High carcinogenic HPV prevalence and a lack of cervical cancer screening may explain the high burden of cervical cancer in Haiti.     

Cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and associated cervical infections in an HIV‐positive population in Rural Mpumalanga,South Africa

P. J. Swanepoel, P. Michelow, R. Du Plessis, I. G. Proudfoot, G. A. Tarr, S. L. Bockel, C. J. Swanepoel
Cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions and associated cervical infections in an HIV‐positive population in Rural Mpumalanga, South Africa Background: The incidences of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, associated squamous intraepithelial lesions and cervical squamous cell carcinoma are significantly increased in HIV‐positive women. The role of other cervicovaginal infections in the acquisition of the HPV infection, cervical carcinogenesis and genital HIV infection remains largely speculative. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted including 1087 HIV‐positive women in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa, for the period 1 May 2009 to 31 August 2010. For each patient, the age at first presentation, cervical cytological diagnosis, subsequent follow‐up cytology and histology, and microscopically visible infections (including endemic Bilharzia) were tabulated and statistically analysed. Results: The prevalence of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), squamous cell carcinoma, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) and atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude HSIL (ASC‐H) in the study population were 22.1%, 30.9%, 0.6%, 13.5% and 4.0%, respectively. LSIL, HSIL and squamous cell carcinoma were diagnosed, respectively, at the average ages of 35.7, 37.9 and 37.2 years. Four patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), 32 with CIN2/CIN3 and two with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were also diagnosed with Bilharzia. Of the other infections only bacterial vaginosis had a positive statistical correlation with HPV‐induced cervical abnormalities (LSIL, HSIL or squamous cell carcinoma). Conclusion: This study confirms the high prevalence of progressive HPV‐associated cervical disease in a rural Southern African HIV‐positive population, which is at least equal to or worse than in other African HIV‐positive studies. The high incidence of Bilharzia infection in those cases that underwent cervical cone excision suggests a possible relationship with progressive HPV disease and cervical carcinogenesis. Bacterial vaginosis (perhaps in combination with Bilharzia) may compromise the normal barriers against HPV and HIV infection.     

Improved rate of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia detection in human papillomavirus DNA hybrid capture testing

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have established a link between human papillomavirus (HPV), squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) and carcinoma of the cervix. Testing for HPV DNA in addition to cytology in screening programs for cervical cancer has been suggested to increase detection rates. STUDY DESIGN: HPV DNA testing (performed by hybridization antibody capture assay I or II), cytology and biopsy (performed within 1 month of each other) were retrospectively reviewed for a series of 155 women. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of HPV testing vs. cytology were calculated using biopsy as the gold standard. These values were also calculated in a subgroup of 37 individuals older than 35 years. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of DNA hybrid capture HPV testing for detecting high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were 86%, 44%, 26% and 93%, respectively. The respective values for cytology detection of high-grade CIN were 17%, 97%, 56% and 82%. CONCLUSION: HPV testing was significantly more sensitive for detecting high-grade CIN than cytology (86% vs. 17%). Our data support immediate colposcopy and biopsy, rather than follow-up Papanicolaou testing, if the test for HPV DNA is positive for an intermediate- to high-risk type.     

Cost of Preventing,Managing, and Treating Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Related Diseases in Sweden before the Introduction of Quadrivalent HPV Vaccination

Objective

Costs associated with HPV-related diseases such as cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and genital warts have not been evaluated in Sweden. These costs must be estimated in order to determine the potential savings if these diseases were eradicated and to assess the combined cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. The present study aimed to estimate prevention, management, and treatment costs associated with cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and genital warts from a societal perspective in Sweden in 2009, 1 year before the quadrivalent HPV vaccination program was implemented.

Methods and Materials

Data from the Swedish cervical cancer screening program was used to calculate the costs associated with prevention (cytological cervical cancer screening), management (colposcopy and biopsy following inadequate/abnormal cytological results), and treatment of CIN. Swedish official statistics were used to estimate treatment costs associated with cervical cancer. Published epidemiological data were used to estimate the number of incident, recurrent, and persistent cases of genital warts; a clinical expert panel assessed management and treatment procedures. Estimated visits, procedures, and use of medications were used to calculate the annual cost associated with genital warts.

Results

From a societal perspective, total estimated costs associated with cervical cancer and genital warts in 2009 were €106.6 million, of which €81.4 million (76%) were direct medical costs. Costs associated with prevention, management, and treatment of CIN were €74 million; screening and management costs for women with normal and inadequate cytology alone accounted for 76% of this sum. The treatment costs associated with incident and prevalent cervical cancer and palliative care were €23 million. Estimated costs for incident, recurrent and persistent cases of genital warts were €9.8 million.

Conclusion

Prevention, management, and treatment costs associated with cervical dysplasia, cervical cancer, and genital warts are substantial. Defining these costs is important for future cost-effectiveness analyses of the quadrivalent HPV vaccination program in Sweden.     

Risk factors for cervical precancer and cancer in HIV-infected, HPV-positive Rwandan women

Background

Although cervical cancer is an AIDS-defining condition, infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may only modestly increase the risk of cervical cancer. There is a paucity of information regarding factors that influence the natural history of human papillomavirus (HPV) in HIV-infected women. We examined factors associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or cancer (CIN3+) in Rwandan women infected with both HIV and HPV (HIV+/HPV+).

Methods

In 2005, 710 HIV+ Rwandan women ≥25 years enrolled in an observational cohort study; 476 (67%) tested HPV+. Each woman provided sociodemographic data, CD4 count, a cervical cytology specimen and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), which was tested for >40 HPV genotypes by MY09/MY11 PCR assay. Logistic regression models calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of associations of potential risk factors for CIN3+ among HIV+/HPV+ women.

Results

Of the 476 HIV+/HPV+ women 42 (8.8%) were diagnosed with CIN3+. Factors associated with CIN3+ included ≥7 (vs. 0-2) pregnancies, malarial infection in the previous six months (vs. never), and ≥7 (vs. 0-2) lifetime sexual partners. Compared to women infected by non-HPV16 carcinogenic HPV genotypes, HPV16 infection was positively associated and non-carcinogenic HPV infection was inversely associated with CIN3+. CD4 count was significantly associated with CIN3+ only in analyses of women with non-HPV16 carcinogenic HPV (OR = 0.62 per 100 cells/mm³, CI = 0.40-0.97).

Conclusions

In this HIV+/HPV+ population, lower CD4 was significantly associated with CIN3+ only in women infected with carcinogenic non-HPV16. We found a trend for higher risk of CIN3+ in HIV+ women reporting recent malarial infection; this association should be investigated in a larger group of HIV+/HPV+ women.     

The c-myc activation in cervical carcinomas and HPV 16 infections

Despite the prominent role for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the development of genital cancer, other genetic or environmental co-factors have also been involved. Studies of c-myc activation in cervical carcinomas have reported that gene over-expression (mainly gene amplification) are common in cervical squamous cell carcinomas and may correlate with the biologic behavior of the neoplasm. Using PCR based technology, DNAs from 79 normal cervical samples and 225 abnormal cervical tissue scrapes were analyzed for HPV detection and typing and for c-myc gene amplification. Significant differences were found between the different cyto/histology groups (P<0.0001) and also with HPV high-risk infected samples (P<0.0002). In this sense, we showed that the average c-myc copy number increased according to the histological grade of the lesion (OR=6.3, CI=2.1-18.8). Also, the results showed that the infection with HPV 16 was tightly associated with c-myc amplification (OR=10.6, CI=3.1-36). These results could indicate that oncogene amplification take place in pre-invasive stages of cervical disease and could cooperate not only in tumor progression but also in cell transformation. Moreover, the results strongly associate the c-myc gene amplification to the infection with the oncogenic HPV 16, showing that the pattern of virus infection and oncogene activation could be specific for different viral genotypes.     

Primary Screening for Cervical Cancer Based on High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Detection and HPV 16 and HPV 18 Genotyping,in Comparison to Cytology

Objectives

The objective of the present study is to assess the performance of a high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA test with individual HPV-16/HPV-18 genotyping as a method for primary cervical cancer screening compared with liquid-based cytology (LBC) in a population of Greek women taking part in routine cervical cancer screening.

Methods

The study, conducted by the “HEllenic Real life Multicentric cErvical Screening” (HERMES) study group, involved the recruitment of 4,009 women, aged 25–55, who took part in routine cervical screening at nine Gynecology Departments in Greece. At first visit cervical specimens were collected for LBC and HPV testing using the Roche Cobas 4800 system. Women found positive for either cytology or HPV were referred for colposcopy, whereas women negative for both tests will be retested after three years. The study is ongoing and the results of the first screening round are reported herein.

Results

Valid results for cytology and HPV testing were obtained for 3,993 women. The overall prevalence of HR-HPV was 12.7%, of HPV-16 2.7% and of HPV-18 1.4%. Of those referred for colposcopy, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) was detected in 41 women (1.07%). At the threshold of CIN2+, cytology [atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) or worse] and HPV testing showed a sensitivity of 53.7% and 100% respectively, without change between age groups. Cytology and HPV testing showed specificity of 96.8% and 90.3% respectively, which was increased in older women (≥30) in comparison to younger ones (25–29). Genotyping for HPV16/18 had similar accuracy to cytology for the detection of CIN2+ (sensitivity: 58.5%; specificity 97.5%) as well as for triage to colposcopy (sensitivity: 58.5% vs 53.7% for cytology).

Conclusion

HPV testing has much better sensitivity than cytology to identify high-grade cervical lesions with slightly lower specificity. HPV testing with individual HPV-16/HPV-18 genotyping could represent a more accurate methodology for primary cervical cancer screening in comparison to liquid-based cytology, especially in older women.