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Use of Interferon-γ Enzyme-linked Immunospot Assay to Characterize Novel T-cell Epitopes of Human Papillomavirus
Published on: March 8, 2012
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Antibodies against high-risk human papillomavirus proteins as markers for noncervical HPV-related cancers in a Black
Mwiza Gideon Singini1,2, Mazvita Muchengeti2,3,4, Freddy Sitas5,6
1International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), Early Detection, Prevention and Infections Branch, Lyon, France.
International Journal of Cancer
|April 5, 2024
Summary
Antibody responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E6 protein are strongly linked to non-cervical HPV-related cancers. This association is increasing over time, potentially driven by rising Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevalence in South Africa.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Antibody responses to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) proteins can indicate HPV-related malignancy.
- HPV seroepidemiology in non-cervical cancers, especially in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-prevalent populations, is under-researched.
- The Johannesburg Cancer Study provides a valuable dataset for investigating cancer etiology in Black South Africans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between antibodies to HPV16 and HPV18 proteins (E6, E7, L1) and non-cervical HPV-related cancers.
- To explore the impact of HIV prevalence on HPV seroepidemiology in these cancer types.
- To determine trends in HPV-attributable fractions for non-cervical cancers over time.
Main Methods:
- A glutathione S-transferase-based multiplex serology assay was used to measure antibodies against HPV16/18 E6, E7, and L1 proteins.
- Sera from 535 cases of non-cervical cancers (anal, vulval, vaginal, penile, oropharyngeal) and 6651 controls were analyzed.
- Logistic and Poisson regression models were employed to calculate adjusted odds and prevalence ratios, controlling for HIV status and diagnosis period.
Main Results:
- HPV16 E6 antibodies showed the strongest association with non-cervical cancers compared to other HPV proteins.
- HPV16 E6 seropositivity was notably high in anal, vulval, vaginal, and penile cancers (24.0%-35.1%), but lower in oropharyngeal cancer (11.2%).
- Adjusting for HIV, HPV16 E6 seropositivity increased significantly between 1995-2005 and 2010-2016 (aPR=1.84), correlating with rising HIV prevalence.
Conclusions:
- HPV16 E6 seropositivity is a strong indicator for non-cervical HPV-related cancers.
- The increasing trend in HPV16 E6 seroprevalence suggests a rising proportion of these cancers are HPV-attributable over time.
- Increasing HIV prevalence in South Africa is likely a key driver of the observed rise in HPV-related non-cervical cancers.
