Association between serum cytokine profiles and clearance or persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The cytokines that may be associated with the clearance or persistence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients with mild dysplasia or less of the uterine cervix were determined.


METHODS
A prospective study of 160 patients who harbored high-risk HPV with histologically confirmed mild dysplasia or less between January 2006 and August 2008 was performed. All patients were followed up at every 4 months during the first year. Human papillomavirus DNA tests by the Hybrid Capture 2 method (Digene, Gaithersburg, Md) were performed at every visit on all patients. Blood sampling was performed in all patients at their initial visit, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum levels of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukins 6 and 10.


RESULTS
Of the 160 patients, 107 (66.9%) had clearance of HPV infection after 12 months of follow-up. The median age of patients in the persistence group was significantly higher than that of patients in the clearance group (47 vs 38 years, respectively; range, 21-77 vs 21-71 years, respectively; P = 0.0009). In univariate analysis, the number of patients with serum negative for tumor necrosis factor alpha was significantly higher in the clearance group than the persistence group (P = 0.0363). However, in multivariate logistic regression analysis, all 4 cytokines failed to show any significant association with the clearance or persistence of HPV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The baseline serum cytokine levels were not associated with the clearance or persistence of HPV infection. Systemic immunity may not influence the natural history of HPV infection.
Hong
Jin Hwa
JH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guro Hospital, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Mi Kyung
MK
Lee
In Ho
IH
Kim
Tae Jin
TJ
Kwak
San Ha
SH
Song
Seung Hun
SH
Lee
Jae Kwan
JK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007723:Korea; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D004279:DNA, Viral