Evidence of HPV subtypes linked with cervical cancer in Nepal

Cervical cancer is the commonest malignancy among women in Nepal but data are limited on which subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) are associated with cancer in this population. Now that vaccines against HPV types 16 and 18 are available, this evidence is of vital importance in obtaining further support for a vaccination programme.

Cervical swabs from 44 histologically confirmed invasive cervical cancer cases were obtained from two tertiary referral hospitals in Nepal. Evidence of HPV subtypes was identified using an HPV multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and confirmed at the Scottish HPV Virus Reference Laboratory.

HPV types 16 and 18 were present in 70% of samples, along with other high-risk subtypes. HPV 6 and 11 were not observed. Epidemiological data assessment appeared to indicate that patient age, age of marriage and age of first pregnancy were associated with increased HPV infection in patients.

This study provides further evidence of the importance of HPV types 16 and 18 in cervical cancer in Nepal and adds support to a nationwide vaccination programme and the use of HPV detection in screening programmes.