Genus beta human papillomaviruses and incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of skin: population based case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between genus beta human papillomaviruses and the incidence of non-melanocytic skin cancer in the general population.


METHODS
Population based case-control study.


METHODS
New Hampshire, USA.


METHODS
2366 skin cancer cases and controls from the general population aged 25 to 74 years (663 squamous cell carcinoma, 898 basal cell carcinoma, 805 controls), with plasma samples tested for L1 antibodies to 16 genus beta human papillomaviruses by multiplex serology.


METHODS
Odds ratios for squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma associated with seropositivity to beta human papillomaviruses.


RESULTS
Squamous cell carcinoma, but not basal cell carcinoma, cases had a higher prevalence of each of the individual beta human papillomaviruses assayed compared with controls. The odds ratios for squamous cell carcinoma increased with the number of beta types positive (odds ratio for one type positive 0.99 (95% confidence interval 0.74 to 1.33); two to three types positive 1.44 (1.03 to 2.01); four to eight types positive 1.51 (1.03 to 2.20); more than eight types positive 1.71 (1.12 to 2.62); P for trend (categorical)<0.001; P for trend (continuous)=0.003). With limited statistical power, the association was stronger among long term users of systemic glucocorticoids (odds ratio 3.21, 1.22 to 8.44) than among non-users (1.23, 0.97 to 1.55).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support a relation between genus beta human papillomavirus infection and the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in the general population, as well as potential enhancement of risk by immunosuppression.
Karagas
Margaret R
MR
Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. margaret.karagas@dartmouth.edu
Waterboer
Tim
T
Li
Zhongze
Z
Nelson
Heather H
HH
Michael
Kristina M
KM
Bavinck
Jan Nico Bouwes
JN
Perry
Ann E
AE
Spencer
Steven K
SK
Daling
Janet
J
Green
Adele C
AC
Pawlita
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D052686:Betapapillomavirus; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009513:New Hampshire / Q000453:epidemiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral