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Liquid biopsy in the diagnosis of HPV DNA in breast lesions
Sabrina De Carolis1,2, Alice Pellegrini3, Donatella Santini4
1Department of Experimental, Diagnostic & Specialty Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
Aim:
HPV DNA has never been investigated in nipple discharges (ND) and serum-derived extracellular vesicles, although its presence has been reported in ductal lavage fluids and blood specimens.
Materials & Methods:
We analyzed 50 ND, 22 serum-derived extracellular vesicles as well as 51 pathologic breast tissues for the presence of 16 HPV DNA types.
Results:
We show that the presence of HPV DNA in the ND is predictive of HPV DNA-positive breast lesions and that HPV DNA is more represented in intraductal papillomas. We also show the presence of HPV DNA in the serum-derived extracellular vesicles.
Conclusion:
Our data supports the use of liquid biopsy to detect HPV DNA in breast pathology.
