Human papillomavirus genotype in cervical cancer: a population-based study

Our aim was to investigate the human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype distribution and correlation between HPV parameters and clinicopathological variables in cervical carcinoma treated in a large tertiary referral medical center in Taiwan. Consecutive patients treated for cervical carcinoma (Stages I-IV according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) between 1993 and 2000 were included. HPV genotyping using SPF1/GP6+ PCR was performed, followed by hybridization with a genechip (Easychip HPV Blot, King Car, Taiwan). E6 type-specific PCR was performed to validate multiple-type. HPV-negative samples were further verified by type-specific PCR and a repeat HPV Blot. A total of 2,118 patients were eligible for analysis. HPV DNA sequences were detected in 96.6% (95% CI, 95.8-97.4%) of the specimens, among which 82% harbored single-type and 18% contained multiple-type HPV sequences. Thirty-five types of HPV were identified and the leading 8 were HPV16 (50.0%), HPV18 (17.8%), HPV58 (16.3%), HPV33 (8.7%), HPV52 (6.8%), HPV39 (3.0%), HPV45 (2.5%) and HPV31 (2.3%). HPV58 or 33 or 52 was detected in 30.3% (641/2,118). By multivariate analysis, HPV58- or 33- or 52-infection was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001) and primary radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiation (RT/CCRT) (p < 0.001). Among HPV-positive cases, multiple-type was more frequently seen in those receiving primary RT/CCRT (p < 0.001). The knowledge of HPV genotype distribution will form a basis for guidelines in HPV-based cervical cancer screening and cost-effective multivalent HPV vaccine policy in Taiwan and in the world. The association between HPV parameters and clinicopathological variables warrants further investigations.