HPV infection and triple-negative breast cancers: an Italian case-control study

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the most important neoplasia among women. To reduce its incidence and mortality impact it would be desirable to early identify risk factors associated with its development. It was recently suggested that biological agents could be the etiological cause, particularly Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). No specific relationship with different breast cancer types has been demonstrated until now. In particular, the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by a receptor negative pattern (ER/PgR/HER2–negative) and poor prognosis, can represent one of the most relevant clinical and public health priority in terms of observational research.FindingsAim of the study was to evaluate the HPV-positivity prevalence in two breast cancer series (TNBC vs. non-TNBC) in Northern Sardinia, Italy. The sample size of each group was represented by 40 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. The mean age was 60.3 years. The majority of the cancers were ductal (84%). The grading distribution was different: G2 was the most prevalent grade in the non-TNBC series, whereas G3 was the most frequent in the TNBC series (70% and 72%, respectively). Six biological samples were HPV-positive (7.5%): the positivity was assessed only in the TNBC group (15%; p-value: 0.026). The isolated genotypes were: 16, 31, 45, 52, 6, and 66. Only one co-infection was found (i.e., HPV-6 and -66).ConclusionsThe prevalence of HPV-positivity in TNBC specimens was 15%. On the basis of its carcinogenetic ability, an etiological role in the pathogenesis of the cancer could be supposed. This association should be confirmed with longitudinal studies to better assess the role of the HPV infection in TNBC and non-TNBC tumors.

Distinct microbiological signatures associated with triple negative breast cancer

“…Additionally, the association of HPV with breast cancer has been suggested to be up to 86% 28 . A recent study detected HPV in 15% of triple negative breast cancer patients (40 cases) but not in 40 non-triple negative cases by PCR 29 . The most frequent genotype detected was HPV-16 (28.6%), and others were HPV-31, -45, 52, -6, -66 29 .…”

Detection of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Patients with Breast Tumor in China

“…The first evidence that revealed that HPV might be involved in BC was provided by Di Lonardo et al in 1992 who demonstrated HPV 16 DNA in 29.4% of paraffin-embedded tissues (PET) of BC by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using HPV 11, 16 and 18 primers [ 14 ]. Many studies have reported HR-HPV infections in BC specimens from diverse populations across the world [ 15 – 17 ]. Koilocyte-like cells were not only observed in HPV positive breast cancer specimens but also observed in some HPV positive normal breast tissue specimens [ 18 ].…”

Is HPV virus associated with human breast cancer? Time to re-examine the postulate. Egyptian Study

“…These results were unlike the study of done by Fernandes et al [26] who reported that Her 2 positive cases were negative for HPV infection, while the association between HPV infection and triple negative cases reached a statistically significant value. While Piana et al [28] recorded HPV positivity in 15% of cases of triple negative breast carcinoma in an Italian case control study. We recommend more investigations on the link between molecular subtypes of breast carcinoma and susceptibility to HPV infection is recommended to be investigated.…”