Evidence for the association of human papillomavirus infection and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in immunocompetent individuals.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection as a risk factor for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in immunocompetent individuals.


METHODS
Hospital-based case-control study.


METHODS
Referral center for dermatologic diseases for central and southern Italy.


METHODS
Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed cutaneous SCC (n = 46) and control subjects (n = 84) chosen by frequency matching (age and sex) among patients admitted with unrelated diseases.


METHODS
Infection with epidermodysplasia verruciformis-related HPV types, blindly assessed by serologic testing (viruslike particle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Information was obtained on known potentially confounding risk factors (family history, history and signs of sun exposure, and pigmentary traits) and on history of HPV-related lesions and diseases, assessed by interview and examination by a dermatologist.


RESULTS
Positive serologic findings for HPV type 8 were associated with SCC (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-7.9) independently of other risk factors, whereas positive serologic findings for HPV type 15 were negatively associated with SCC (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9). Other variables significantly associated with the tumor were family history of skin cancer, professional or recreational sun exposure, light eye color, high number of solar keratoses and seborrheic keratoses on the body surface, and residency in radon-emitting buildings.


CONCLUSIONS
Positive serologic findings for HPV type 8 are associated with SCC occurrence in immunocompetent individuals. Viral infection could act as a cofactor in the tumor development, along with genetic predisposition, solar radiation, and other environmental exposures. If confirmed, these findings could open new perspectives for treatment and prevention of SCC.
Masini
Cinzia
C
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata Rome, Italy. c.masini@idi.it
Fuchs
Pawel G
PG
Gabrielli
Fabrizio
F
Stark
Sabine
S
Sera
Francesco
F
Ploner
Miriam
M
Melchi
Carmelo Franco
CF
Primavera
Grazia
G
Pirchio
Giulio
G
Picconi
Orietta
O
Petasecca
Pierpaolo
P
Cattaruzza
Maria Sofia
MS
Pfister
Herbert J
HJ
Abeni
Damiano
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins