HPV strain distribution in patients with genital warts in a female population sample

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the human cancer domain is still a subject of intensive study. In this study, we examined cervical swab samples from 713 females with genital warts, and tested the samples for high‑and low‑risk genital HPV. HPV genotyping was assessed using a Genotyping test that detects HPV by the amplification of target DNA using polymerase chain reaction and nucleic acid hybridization. In total, we detected 37 anogenital HPV DNA genotypes [6, 11, 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73 (MM9), 81, 82 (MM4), 83 (MM7), 84 (MM8), IS39 and CP6108] and investigated the incidence of these genotypes in the patients with genital warts. We found differences in the distribution of high‑/low‑risk strains and the incidence of high‑risk strains was found to occur mainly in females under 35 years of age. The data from our study suggest that a detailed oral, rectal and genital identification of high‑risk strains should be performed to visualize the entire pattern of possible triggers of carcinogenesis. © 2016, Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved

Human papilloma virus: Apprehending the link with carcinogenesis and unveiling new research avenues (Review)

Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are a small group of non-enveloped viruses belonging to the Papillomaviridae family with strong similarities to polyoma viruses. The viral particles consist of a genome in the form of a circular double-stranded DNA, encompassing eight open reading frames, as well as a non-enveloped icosahedral capsid. HPV infection is considered the most common sexually transmitted disease in both sexes and is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of different types of cancer. 'High-risk' mucosal HPV types, predominantly types 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35, are associated with most cervical, penile, vulvar, vaginal, anal, oropharyngeal cancers and pre-cancers. Screening for HPV is necessary for the prognosis and for determining treatment strategies for cancer. Novel HPV markers, including proteomic and genomic markers, as well as anti-papillomavirus vaccines are currently available. The aim of this comprehensive review was to thoroughly present the updated information on virus development, cancer occurrence, treatment and prevention strategies, in an attempt to shed further light into the field, including novel research avenues

Distinct clinicopathological and prognostic features of thin nodular primary melanomas: an international study from 17 centers

BACKGROUND: Nodular melanoma (NM) is more likely to be fatal compared to other melanoma subtypes, an effect attributed to its greater Breslow thickness. METHODS: Clinicopathological features of NM and superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) diagnosed in 17 centers in Europe (n = 15), USA and Australia between 2006 and 2015, were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression analysis, with emphasis in thin (T1 ≤ 1.0 mm) melanomas. Cox analysis assessed melanoma-specific survival (MSS). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: In all, 20,132 melanomas (NM: 5,062, SSM: 15,070) were included. Compared to T1 SSM, T1 NM was less likely to have regression (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.29-0.72) or nevus remnants histologically (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.85), and more likely to have mitoses (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.33-2.93) and regional metastasis (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.02-3.05). T1 NM had a higher mitotic rate than T1 SSM (adjusted geometric mean 2.2 [95% CI:1.9-2.4] vs 1.6 [95% CI:1.5-1.7] per mm2, p < 0.001). Cox multivariate analysis showed a higher risk for melanoma-specific death for NM compared to SSM for T1 (HR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.24-3.56) and T2 melanomas (HR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.68), while after accounting for center heterogeneity, there was statistical significance only for T1 (HR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.28-3.78). The NM subtype did not confer increased risk within each stratum (among localized tumors or cases with regional metastasis). CONCLUSIONS: T1 NM (compared to T1 SSM) was associated with a constellation of aggressive characteristics that may confer a worse prognosis. Our results indicate NM is a high-risk melanoma subtype that should be considered for inclusion in future prognostic classifications of melanoma

Distinct Clinicopathological and Prognostic Features of Thin Nodular Primary Melanomas: An International Study from 17 Centers

BACKGROUND: Nodular melanoma (NM) is more likely to be fatal compared with other melanoma subtypes, an effect attributed to its greater Breslow thickness. METHODS: Clinicopathological features of NM and superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) diagnosed in 17 centers in Europe (n = 15), the United States, and Australia between 2006 and 2015, were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression analysis, with emphasis on thin (T1 ≤ 1.0 mm) melanomas. Cox analysis assessed melanoma-specific survival. All statistical tests were two sided. RESULTS: In all, 20&nbsp;132 melanomas (NM: 5062, SSM: 15&nbsp;070) were included. Compared with T1 SSM, T1 NM was less likely to have regression (odds ratio [OR] = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29 to 0.72) or nevus remnants histologically (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.42 to 0.85), and more likely to have mitoses (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.33 to 2.93) and regional metastasis (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.02 to 3.05). T1 NM had a higher mitotic rate than T1 SSM (adjusted geometric mean = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.9 to 2.5 vs 1.6, 95% CI = 1.5 to 1.7 per mm2, P &lt; .001). Cox multivariable analysis showed a higher risk for melanoma-specific death for NM compared with SSM for T1 (HR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.24 to 3.56) and T2 melanomas (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.68), and after accounting for center heterogeneity, the difference was statistically significant only for T1 (HR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.28 to 3.78). The NM subtype did not confer increased risk within each stratum (among localized tumors or cases with regional metastasis). CONCLUSIONS: T1 NM (compared with T1 SSM) was associated with a constellation of aggressive characteristics that may confer a worse prognosis. Our results indicate NM is a high-risk melanoma subtype that should be considered for inclusion in future prognostic classifications of melanoma