HPV and Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a known carcinogen, but its role in lung cancer is not well-established.
• Existing research presents conflicting findings regarding HPV prevalence and its etiological contribution to lung cancer.
• Understanding HPV's impact is crucial for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment strategies in lung cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, etiology, and prognosis of HPV infection in lung cancer.
• To synthesize current evidence on the association between HPV and different types of lung cancer.
• To identify research gaps and methodological limitations in existing studies.

Main Methods:

• A PRISMA-guided systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases.
• Search terms included "lung cancer AND HPV", with a focus on human subject papers.
• Analysis of 97 studies involving 9098 patients worldwide.

Main Results:

• Reported HPV infection rates in lung cancer varied significantly (0%–69%) across studies and geographic regions.
• HPV16/18 were predominant in some areas, but overall association with lung cancer remained inconclusive.
• Lower HPV prevalence was observed in Asian populations compared to Western cohorts; potential roles in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were noted, especially in non-smokers.

Conclusions:

• The role of HPV in lung carcinogenesis is currently inconclusive, with significant discrepancies in detection methods and sample sources.
• Further research employing standardized methodologies and larger patient cohorts is essential to clarify HPV's involvement in lung cancer.
• Intriguing associations suggest HPV may play a role in specific lung cancer subtypes, necessitating continued investigation into its clinical implications.