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Prevalence of human papillomavirus in middle ear carcinoma associated with chronic otitis media
1Department of Pathology, National Cheng Kung University Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Squamous cell carcinoma of the middle ear (MESCC) is an uncommon tumor and is associated with a history of long-term chronic otitis media (COM) in most cases. Although the human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been implicated in many human neoplasms, its role in the pathogenesis of MESCC has not been studied. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using consensus primers for the detection of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 52b, and 58 was applied in screening fourteen cases of MESCC from archival material. Further subtyping was performed by restriction enzyme digestion of PCR products and by in situ hybridization method on tissue sections. Of the fourteen cases of MESCC, eleven were found to have HPV DNA. HPV-16 was detected in all positive cases. Five cases revealed both HPV-16 and -18. A history of long-term COM (> 3 years) was found in thirteen of the cases. This is the first report to localize HPV-16/18 in MESCC on both the tissue level and the molecular level. The high prevalence of HPV in COM-associated MESCC therefore provides a good model to explain the pathogenesis of chronic-inflammation-related human malignancies.
Insights
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) were detected in most middle ear squamous cell carcinoma (MESCC) cases, particularly HPV-16. This finding suggests a potential link between chronic otitis media, HPV, and MESCC development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Virology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Squamous cell carcinoma of the middle ear (MESCC) is rare and often linked to chronic otitis media (COM).
- The role of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in MESCC pathogenesis is largely unstudied.
- HPVs are known carcinogens in various human neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and types of HPV in MESCC.
- To explore the association between HPV and chronic otitis media in MESCC cases.
- To understand the role of HPV in the development of MESCC.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect HPV DNA (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 52b, 58) in 14 MESCC archival samples.
- Restriction enzyme digestion and in situ hybridization were employed for HPV subtyping and localization.
- Patient history of chronic otitis media (COM) was reviewed.
Main Results:
- HPV DNA was detected in 11 out of 14 MESCC cases (78.6%).
- HPV-16 was identified in all HPV-positive cases.
- Five cases showed co-infection with HPV-16 and HPV-18.
- A history of long-term COM (> 3 years) was present in 13 cases.
- This study provides the first molecular and tissue-level evidence of HPV-16/18 in MESCC.
Conclusions:
- The high prevalence of HPV, particularly HPV-16, in COM-associated MESCC suggests a significant role in its pathogenesis.
- HPV-infected COM-associated MESCC serves as a valuable model for studying chronic inflammation-related malignancies.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of HPV in MESCC development.