Human papillomavirus 16 E6 antibodies in individuals without diagnosed cancer: a pooled analysis

Lang Kuhs, K. A. et al. (2015) Human papillomavirus 16 E6 antibodies in individuals without diagnosed cancer: a pooled analysis. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, 24(4), pp. 683-689. (doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-14-1217) (PMID:25623733) (PMCID:PMC4383678)

Abstract

Background: The increasing incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in many developed countries has been attributed to human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) infections. Recently, HPV16 E6 serology has been identified as a promising early marker for oropharyngeal cancer. Therefore, characterization of HPV16 E6 seropositivity among individuals without cancer is warranted. Methods: A total of 4,666 controls were pooled from several studies of cancer and HPV seropositivity, all tested within the same laboratory. HPV16 E6 seropositive controls were classified as having (i) moderate [mean fluorescent intensity (MFI) ≥ 484 and <1,000] or (ii) high seroreactivity (MFI ≥ 1,000). Associations of moderate and high HPV16 E6 seroreactivity with (i) demographic risk factors; and seropositivity for (ii) other HPV16 proteins (E1, E2, E4, E7, and L1), and (iii) E6 proteins from non-HPV16 types (HPV6, 11, 18, 31, 33, 45, and 52) were evaluated. Results: Thirty-two (0.7%) HPV16 E6 seropositive controls were identified; 17 (0.4%) with moderate and 15 (0.3%) with high seroreactivity. High HPV16 E6 seroreactivity was associated with former smoking [odds ratio (OR), 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2–51.8], and seropositivity against HPV16 L1 (OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.3–15.4); E2 (OR, 7.7; 95% CI, 1.4–29.1); multiple HPV16 proteins (OR, 25.3; 95% CI, 2.6–119.6 for three HPV16 proteins beside E6) and HPV33 E6 (OR, 17.7; 95% CI, 1.9–81.8). No associations were observed with moderate HPV16 E6 seroreactivity. Conclusions: High HPV16 E6 seroreactivity is rare among individuals without diagnosed cancer and was not explained by demographic factors. Impact: Some HPV16 E6 seropositive individuals without diagnosed HPV-driven cancer, especially those with seropositivity against other HPV16 proteins, may harbor a biologically relevant HPV16 infection.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Conway, Professor David
• Authors: Lang Kuhs, K. A., Anantharaman, D., Waterboer, T., Johansson, M., Brennan, P., Michel, A., Willhauck-Fleckenstein, M., Purdue, M. P., Holcatova, I., Ahrens, W., Lagiou, P., Polesel, J., Simonato, L., Merletti, F., Healy, C. M., Kjaerheim, K., Conway, D. I., Macfarlane, T. V., Thomson, P., Castellsague, X., Znaor, A., Black, A., Huang, W.-Y., Krogh, V., Trichopoulou, A., Bueno-de-Mesquita, H. B.(a.)., Clavel-Chapelon, F., Weiderpass, E., Ekstrom, J., Riboli, E., Tjonneland, A., Sanchez, M.-J., Travis, R. C., Hildesheim, A., Pawlita, M., and Kreimer, A. R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention
• Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research
• ISSN: 1055-9965
• ISSN (Online): 1538-7755
• Published Online: 26 January 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 American Association for Cancer Research
• First Published: First published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention 24(4): 683-689
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy