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Mumps and ovarian cancer: modern interpretation of an historic association

Daniel W Cramer1, Allison F Vitonis, Simone P Pinheiro

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology Epidemiology Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Harvard Medical School, 221 Longwood Ave, RFB 366, Boston, MA 02115, USA. dwcramer@partners.org

Cancer Causes & Control : CCC
|June 19, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Childhood mumps infection may protect against ovarian cancer by stimulating antibodies against MUC1, a tumor antigen. This immune response could offer surveillance against ovarian cancer cells expressing MUC1.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Epidemiologic studies suggest a protective association between childhood mumps and ovarian cancer.
  • The mechanism may involve immune responses to tumor-associated antigens expressed during mumps infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if mumps infection induces antibodies against the cancer-associated antigen MUC1.
  • To explore the potential of mumps-induced immunity in ovarian cancer surveillance.

Main Methods:

  • Sera from 161 mumps cases and 194 controls were analyzed for anti-MUC1 antibodies, MUC1, and CA 125 using ELISA and electro-chemiluminescence.
  • Statistical analyses included t-tests, generalized linear models, and correlations.
  • A meta-analysis of existing studies on mumps and ovarian cancer was performed.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with mumps parotitis exhibited significantly higher levels of anti-MUC1 antibodies compared to controls (p = 0.002).
  • Circulating levels of CA 125 were elevated in mumps cases (p = 0.02), but MUC1 levels were not.
  • Meta-analysis revealed a pooled odds ratio of 0.81 (p = 0.01) for the association between mumps and ovarian cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Mumps parotitis may trigger the expression and immune recognition of a tumor-associated MUC1 variant.
  • This immune response could establish surveillance against ovarian cancer cells expressing this MUC1 form.
  • Mumps infection might offer a protective effect against ovarian cancer through immune mechanisms.

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