Association Between Maternal Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection and Non-familial Retinoblastoma in Children: A...

Interaction between the RB1 tumor suppressor and human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins is established; however, the reported prevalence of HPV in retinoblastoma varies widely (0-82%). The authors hypothesized that maternal HPV infection contributes to non-familial retinoblastoma. A case-control study was conducted (2016-2020) at a single center. Cases included mothers of children with unilateral, non-familial retinoblastoma delivered vaginally; controls were mothers of unaffected children. Cervical smears were tested for HPV deoxyribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction, and subtypes were identified using the HPV Genoarray kit. Forty-two cases and 57 controls were enrolled. Both groups did not differ in age at marriage/first conception, or in residence; however, the cases were older (P = 0.05) and had a higher socioeconomic status (P = 0.02). High-risk HPV was detected in 11 (26.1%) cases and 13 (22.8%) controls (P = 0.69). The similar frequency of high-risk HPV in both groups does not support maternal HPV infection as an etiological factor for non-familial retinoblastoma.