Human Papillomavirus

Scientists at University of Glasgow publish new data on non-melanoma skin cancer

Human Papillomavirus Library Library Home This article was published in Clinical Oncology Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"One hundred and twenty-one paraffin-embedded skin tumours (27 actinic keratosis, 41 intraepidermal carcinoma, 53 squamous cell carcinoma) and 11 normal skin samples were analysed for the presence of betaPV by a polymerase chain reaction-reverse hybridization assay designed to detect the presence of the 25 known betaPV genotypes. In IC patients, betaPV was detected in 30 of 59 (51%) tumours and two of 11 (18%) normal skin samples (P = 0.046). In IS patients, betaPV was found in 27 of 62 (44%) tumours; no normal skin samples were available for comparison. The most frequently found genotypes were HPV-24, HPV-15 and HPV-38. Of those tumours infected with betaPV, 28 of 57 (49%) were infected with more than one genotype (range 2-8). Tumours from IS patients were from a younger age group (mean age 57 4 years) than IC patients (mean age 73 8 years). Multiple infections were more common in tumours from IC patients (21 of 30; 70%) compared with those from IS patients (seven of 27; 26%) (P < 0.001). In the IC group, age did not appear to influence the distribution of single and multiple infections whereas in IS patients the proportion of multiple infections to single infections increased with age. There were no multiple infections in normal skin. A wide spectrum of betaPV types was detected in our samples," wrote L.J. Mackintosh and colleagues, University of Glasgow.

The researchers concluded: "Further characterization of betaPV in vivo is needed in order to determine the mechanisms by which the virus contributes to cutaneous carcinogenesis."

Mackintosh and colleagues published their study in British Journal of Dermatology (Presence of beta human papillomaviruses in nonmelanoma skin cancer from organ transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients in the West of Scotland. British Journal of Dermatology, 2009;161(1):56-62).

For additional information, contact L.J. Mackintosh, University of Glasgow, Institute Comparative Medical, Division Pathology Science, Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland.

Publisher contact information for the British Journal of Dermatology is: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc., Commerce Place, 350 Main St., Malden 02148, MA, USA.

Keywords: Scotland, Actinic Keratosis, Dermatology, Diagnosis, Diagnostics, Enzyme Research, HPV, Human Papillomavirus, Intraepidermal Carcinoma, Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer, Non-Melanoma Skin Carcinoma, Oncology, Polymerase, Skin Neoplasms, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Transplantation, University of Glasgow.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.