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1Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA daniel.dimaio@yale.edu.
Abstract:
Next-generation sequencing results obtained to detect somatic mutations in human cancers can also be searched for viruses that contribute to cancer. Recently, human papillomavirus 18 RNA was detected in tumor types not typically associated with HPV infection. Analyses reported in this issue of Journal of Virology demonstrate that the apparent presence of HPV18 RNA in these atypical tumors is due in at least some cases to contamination of samples with HeLa cells, which harbor HPV18.
Insights
Human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) RNA detection in atypical human tumors was investigated. Results show that apparent HPV18 RNA signals in some cancers are actually due to HeLa cell contamination, not true infection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS) enables detection of somatic mutations in human cancers.
- NGS data can also be analyzed for the presence of cancer-associated viruses.
- Human papillomavirus 18 (HPV18) RNA has been recently detected in tumor types not typically linked to HPV infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of HPV18 RNA in atypical human tumors.
- To determine the source of HPV18 RNA detection in these cancers.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of next-generation sequencing data.
- Detection of human papillomavirus 18 RNA.
- Investigation of sample contamination.
Main Results:
- Apparent detection of HPV18 RNA in tumor types not typically associated with HPV infection was observed.
- Further analyses demonstrated that in some cases, this detection was due to contamination of samples with HeLa cells.
- HeLa cells are known to harbor HPV18.
Conclusions:
- The presence of HPV18 RNA in atypical tumors may be overestimated due to sample contamination.
- Careful consideration of potential contamination sources, such as HeLa cells, is crucial when interpreting viral detection in cancer sequencing data.
