Human papillomavirus detected in female breast carcinomas in Japan
2008

HPV in Japanese Breast Carcinomas

Sample size: 124 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Khan N A, Castillo A, Koriyama C, Kijima Y, Umekita Y, Ohi Y, Higashi M, Sagara Y, Yoshinaka H, Tsuji T, Natsugoe S, Douchi T, Eizuru Y, Akiba S

Primary Institution: Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences

Hypothesis

To investigate the aetiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer.

Conclusion

HPV DNA was detected in 21% of breast carcinomas, but its low viral loads suggest it is unlikely to be involved in the development of these cancers.

Supporting Evidence

  • HPV DNA was detected in 26 out of 124 breast cancer specimens.
  • HPV-16 was the most frequently detected genotype, found in 92% of HPV-positive cases.
  • The geometric mean of HPV-16 copies per 104 cells was 5.4 in breast cancers.

Takeaway

The study looked for a virus called HPV in breast cancer samples from women in Japan and found it in some cases, but not enough to say it causes breast cancer.

Methodology

The presence, genotype, viral load, and physical status of HPV were examined using PCR and real-time PCR in breast cancer specimens.

Limitations

The study only examined breast cancer cases from Japan, which may not represent other populations.

Participant Demographics

Female patients aged 23 to 90 years, mean age 55.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.004

Statistical Significance

p=0.004

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6604502

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