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Metatranscriptome analysis in human papillomavirus negative cervical cancers.
Agustin Enrique Ure1, Camilla Lagheden1, Laila Sara Arroyo Mühr2
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 141 86, Stockholm, Sweden.
Scientific Reports
|September 5, 2022
Summary
Researchers compared the metatranscriptome of human papillomavirus (HPV) positive and negative cervical cancers. Bacterial and viral profiles were similar, except for HPV itself, highlighting a distinct biological group needing further study.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Microbiology
- Virology
Background:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) negative cervical cancers present unique challenges, including late diagnosis and poorer prognosis.
- Identifying infectious agents and biomarkers is crucial for early detection of HPV-negative cervical cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the metatranscriptome of bacteria and viruses in HPV-positive versus HPV-negative cervical cancers.
- To identify potential microbial differences that could aid in the early detection of HPV-negative cervical cancers.
Main Methods:
- Whole RNA sequencing data from 223 HPV-negative and 223 HPV-positive cervical cancers were analyzed.
- Kraken2 software was used to identify bacterial and viral genera.
- Metatranscriptome analysis focused on detecting and comparing microbial profiles between the two groups.
Main Results:
- A total of 84 bacterial genera and 63 viral genera were detected across all samples.
- No significant differences in bacterial or viral genera were observed between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical cancers.
- The only significant difference noted was the presence of alpha-papillomaviruses, which are associated with HPV positivity.
Conclusions:
- The metatranscriptome of bacteria and viruses in HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical cancers are largely similar, with HPV being the primary differentiator.
- HPV-negative cervical cancers represent a biologically distinct group that requires further investigation for early identification strategies.
