[Detection of human papillomavirus types 16, 18 DNA related sequences in bronchogenic carcinoma]

In order to study the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and bronchogenic carcinoma, "high-risk" HPV 16, 18 DNA sequences were detected in samples from 50 lung cancer patients, 18 patients with benign pulmonary diseases and 4 fetal lung tissues by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot-blot hybridization using biotin-labelled probes. The results showed that HPV 16, 18 DNA related sequences were found in 32% of lung cancer specimens, including 10 cases of HPV 16, 5 cases of HPV 18, 1 case of both types. 48.2% (13/27) of the squamous cell carcinomas were shown to be positive for HPV 16, 18 DNA; in addition, two adenocarcinomas and one small cell carcinoma were positive for HPV 16 DNA. No specimen from benign diseases and fetal lung tissue showed positive result. Most of HPV DNA positive cases had a history of heavy smoking. These results implicated that primary bronchogenic carcinomas may be related to HPV infection.