Polyomaviruses and the risk of oral cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Oral cancer (OC) is the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck (HN) and ranks 16th among the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide an evidence-based analysis of the relationship between polyomaviruses and oral cancer.

The global online databases was used to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and September 2024. The quality of each article was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist. Data analysis was performed using STATA Ver. 11 software, and the standard error was calculated using the binomial distribution formula. The heterogeneity of the study results was assessed using the I-square and Q index, while publication bias was examined using the Begg's test. In addition, a random effects model was used to determine the risk difference (RD), and a forest plot diagram was used to present the results with 95% confidence intervals. The Trim and Fill test was applied to estimate publication bias, and sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the influence of individual studies on the overall estimate.

Of the nine studies, the relationship between BK virus (BKV) and the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) and oral cancer was investigated. In five primary studies, and by combining the results of these studies, the risk of oral cancer in MCV and BKV-positive individuals was significantly higher than in the negative groups by 13% (RD: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.26) and 2% (RD: 0.02, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.07), respectively. In addition, the association between JC virus (JCV) and oral cancer was investigated in six primary studies. By combining the results of these studies, the risk of oral cancer in JCV-positive individuals was 1% higher than that in JCV-negative individuals (RD: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.02, 0.06).

This meta-analysis showed that there was a significant association between MCV and oral cancer, and the risk of oral cancer in MCV- positive individuals was 13% higher than that in MCV- negative individuals. More preliminary studies are needed on the association between BKV and JCV and the risk of oral cancer.