Esophageal Cancer
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 7, 2006; 12(9): 1352-1355
Published online Mar 7, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i9.1352
Evidence of human papilloma virus infection and its epidemiology in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Pin-Fang Yao, Guang-Can Li, Jin Li, He-Shun Xia, Xiao-Ling Yang, Huan-Yuan Huang, You-Gao Fu, Rui-Qin Wang, Xi-Yin Wang, Ju-Wei Sha
Pin-Fang Yao, Guang-Can Li, Huan-Yuan Huang, You-Gao Fu, Hubei Cancer Institute , Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
Jin Li, College of Life Science, South-center University for Nationlities, Wuhan 430074, Hubei Province, China
He-Shun Xia, Xiao-Ling Yang, Department of Pathology, Hubei Cancer Hospital, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Provence, China
Rui-Qin Wang, Xi-Yin Wang, Ju-Wei Sha, Zhongxiang Chaihu Hospital, Zhongxiang 431900, Hubei Province, China
Supported by Key Technology R&D Program of Hubei Province, No.2004AA304B08
Correspondence to: Pin-Fang Yao, Laboratory of Cell & Molecular Biology, Hubei Cancer Institute, Wuchang 116# South Zhuodaoquan Road, Wuhan 430079, Hubei province, China. ypf0401@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-27-62310502 Fax:+86-27-87670132
Received: October 20, 2005
Revised: November 1, 2005
Accepted: November 10, 2005
Published online: March 7, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To look for the evidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) and to investigate the potential role and epidemiology of HPV infection in the pathogenesis of esophageal carcinomas in Henan emigrants.

METHODS: Papilloma virus(PV)and HPV were determined by UltrasensiveTM S-P immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in esophageal carcinoma tissues (82 cases) and the normal mucosa (40 cases).

RESULTS: IHC revealed that the positive rate of PV was 75.0%, 68.18% and 72.5% respectively while the HPV (16/18-E6) positive rate was 45.0%, 36.36%, 37.5%, respectively in esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens from Henan emigrants,the local citizens and patients in Hubei Cancer Hospital. The PV and HPV (16/18-E6) were negative in all normal esophageal mucosa specimens. No correlation was found between HPV in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissues and in grade 1-3 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells. In situ hybridization showed that the HPV (16/18) DNA positive rate was 30.0%, 31.8%, 25.0%, respectively in the 3 groups of samples. No positive hybridization signal was found in 40 normal esophageal mucosa specimens. The positive rate of HPV (16/18) DNA in the esophageal carcinoma specimens was significantly higher than that in normal mucosa specimens (P < 0.05). The positive rate was not different among the 3 groups of esophageal carcinoma tissue specimens (P >0.05).

CONCLUSION: HPV infection is high in esophageal carcinoma of Henan emigrants, local residents and patients in Hubei Cancer Hospital. HPV is closely related with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. HPV infection may play an important role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Keywords: Human papillomavirus; Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Immunohistochemistry; in situ hybridization