Human papilloma virus infection and overexpression of p53 protein in bilharzial bladder cancer.
OBJECTIVE
An association between human papilloma virus (HPV) and bladder cancer has been reported. However, the role of HPV in bilharzial bladder cancer and its prevalence have not yet been clarified.


METHODS
We investigated 50 cases for HPV types 16/18 by in situ hybridization. Also, p53 protein expression by immunohistochemistry was evaluated in 41 of the 50 cases, with correlation of these factors to clinicopathologic parameters and tumor relapse after primary treatment.


RESULTS
HPV was detected in 46% of Egyptian bladder carcinomas (23/50 cases). Positivity was 47.8% for squamous cell carcinoma and 36.4% for transitional cell carcinoma. There was a possible viral-bilharzial association as 52.8% of Bilharzial cases, whereas only 12.5% of non-Bilharzial cases were HPV positive (P <0.05). P53 protein was found in 19/41 (46.3%) cases. There was a concordance between HPV and p53 in 58.5% of cases. Neither factor was related to tumor recurrence after primary treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
HPV may thus be implicated in the etiology of bilharzial bladder cancer, but a definite causal relationship remains to be demonstrated. HPV together with p53 alterations work in synergy to accelerate the carcinogenic process, as there was concordance in the results of both parameters in 24/41 (58.5%) cases.
Khaled
H M
HM
Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt.
Raafat
A
A
Mokhtar
N
N
Zekri
A R
AR
Gaballah
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53