Clinical features and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia in ageing male: A retrospective study of 18 cases.

AIM: A worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which emerged in China in December 2019 affects the world very seriously. We aimed to evaluate the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients who were admitted and treated to our hospital due to COVID-19. METHODS: Between March 18, 2020 and April 5, 2020, 18 patients admitted with COVID-19 who has BPH and are using medication for this were included in the study and analysed retrospectively. Diagnosis was confirmed by COVID-19 nucleic acid test by sampling sputum or nasopharyngeal swab. Standard COVID-19 treatment protocol determined by our Ministry of Health was applied to all patients according to their risk groups. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological features, additional diseases, laboratory tests, complications and outcome data of all patients were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 59.6 (range: 56-73). As the mode of transmission, 10 (55.5%) of patients were infected in hospital, 5 (27.7%) patients had a relative with COVID-19 and three (16.6%) was unknown. During follow-up, 2 (11.1%) patients were transferred to intensive care unit (ICU). One of these patients dramatically progressed and died. Patients who survived and were not transferred to ICU had lesser comorbidities and were relatively young. Mean duration of hospitalisation was 14.2 days (range 12-19). CONCLUSION: We think that COVID-19 patients with BPH had a low mortality rate and did not have a poor prognosis in this patient group. It is crucial to take comprehensive preventive measures to control COVID-19 transmission via hospital route.

Different Strains of BK Polyomavirus: VP1 Sequences in a Group of Iranian Prostate Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: BK virus (BKV) has a worldwide seroprevalence in humans. Based on sequences of the major capsid proteins, i.e. viral protein 1 (VP1), there are four BKV genotypes. Each genotype has its own subtypes, and wasshown to be circulating independently in the human population. The aim of this study was to determine BKVgenotypes and subtypes among Iranian patients with prostatic cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and kidney transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BKV DNA was extracted from prostatic cancers and benign prostatic hyperplasia blocks and also urine of kidney transplantation patients. BKV (VP1) gene was amplified partially (327nt) by homemade polymerase chain reactions and subjected for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Bioedit version 7.0 and Mega version 5.0 were used for sequence analysis and for comparing the results with world-driven BKV sequences. RESULTS: All of BKV VP1 genes which were derived from Iranian patients were classified with subtype 1b2 strains from Germany and Turkey. Predicted amino acid sequences from the studied region of VP1 showed that all of these nucleotide diversities could change amino acid sequence numbers 60, 68, 72, 73 and 82 among VP1. CONCLUSION: The interesting point was that genetic analysis of derived sequences showed a different feature of genetic diversity among Iranian sequences. This feature has not been reported yet. This characteristic feature of Iranian BKV VP1 gene provides a unique cluster of sequences in phylogenetic tree.

Lack of evidence of HPV etiology of prostate cancer following radical surgery and higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype in turkish men with prostate cancer

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of HPV in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) and investigate the distribution of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in PCa in a Turkish population. Materials and methods A total of 96 tissues, which had been obtained using a radical surgery method, formalin-fixed and parafin-embedded, were used in this study. The study group consisted of 60 PCa tissues (open radical prostatectomy) and the control group contained 36 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (BPH) (transvesical open prostatectomy). The presence of HPV and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism was investigated in both groups using real-time PCR and pyrosequencing. Results The results of the real-time PCR showed no HPV DNA in any of the 36 BPH tissue samples. HPV-DNA was positive in only 1 of the 60 PCa samples (1.7%). The HPV type of this sample was identified as HPV-57. The distribution of the three genotypes, Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro was found to be 45.6, 45.6, and 8.8% in the PCa group and 57.1%, 34.3% and 8.6% in the control group, respectively. Compared with the control group, patients with PCa had a higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype and Proline allele (odds ratio (OR)=1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.68-4.09, p=0.044; OR=1.13, 95% CI=0.76-1.68, p=0.021, respectively). Conclusions The results of the study do not support the hyphothesis that prostate cancer is associated with HPV infection but indicated that Proline allele can be a risk factor in the development of PCa in the Turkish population.

Lack of evidence of HPV etiology of prostate cancer following radical surgery and higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype in Turkish men with prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the possible role of HPV in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) and investigate the distribution of the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in PCa in a Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 tissues, which had been obtained using a radical surgery method, formalin-fixed and parafin-embedded, were used in this study. The study group consisted of 60 PCa tissues (open radical prostatectomy) and the control group contained 36 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (BPH) (transvesical open prostatectomy). The presence of HPV and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism was investigated in both groups using real-time PCR and pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The results of the real-time PCR showed no HPV DNA in any of the 36 BPH tissue samples. HPV-DNA was positive in only 1 of the 60 PCa samples (1.7%). The HPV type of this sample was identified as HPV-57. The distribution of the three genotypes, Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro was found to be 45.6, 45.6, and 8.8% in the PCa group and 57.1%, 34.3% and 8.6% in the control group, respectively. Compared with the control group, patients with PCa had a higher frequency of the Arg/Pro genotype and Proline allele (odds ratio (OR)=1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.68-4.09, p=0.044; OR=1.13, 95% CI=0.76-1.68, p=0.021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study do not support the hyphothesis that prostate cancer is associated with HPV infection but indicated that Proline allele can be a risk factor in the development of PCa in the Turkish population.

[Correlation of high-risk HPV 16/18 infections with prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of high-risk human papillomavirus 16 and 18 (HPV16/18) infections with the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) and their association with the clinicopathologic indexes of PCa. METHODS: We collected tissue samples from 75 cases of PCa and 73 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We detected HPV16/18 infections in the samples by immunohistochemistry and PCR combined with reverse dot blot (RDB) assay. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry revealed 16 cases of HPV16/18 positive in the PCa (21.3%) and 7 cases in the BPH samples (9.5%), with statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.049). PCR combined with RDB assay showed 17 cases of HPV16 infection (22.6%) and 13 cases of HPV18 infection (17.8%), including 4 cases of HPV16/18 positive, in the PCa group, remarkably higher than 6 cases of HPV16 infection (8.2%), 3 cases of HPV18 infection (4.1%) and no HPV16/18 positive in the BPH controls (P=0.001). No significant differences were observed between the result of immunohistochemistry and that of PCR combined with RDB assay (P=0.069). The risk of HPV16/18 infections was found to be correlated with the clinical T-stage and Gleason score of PCa (P<0.05 ) but not with the patient's age, PSA level or lymph node metastasis (P>0.05 ). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk HPV16/18 infections are correlated with the risk of prostate cancer.

Polyomavirus Hominis 1(BK virus) Infection in Prostatic Tissues: Cancer versus Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: Polyomavirus hominis 1, better known as BK virus (BKV) infection might be a predisposing factor for prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of BK virus infection in pathological specimens of patients with PCa compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to June 2012, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients with PCa (60 specimens) and also with benign prostatic hyperplasia (60 specimens) were investigated. After DNA purification, existence of virus nucleic acid was assessed by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Viral DNA was identified in 9 patients (15%) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 17 patients (28%) with PCa (P = .076). In patients with PCa, viral DNA was observed more often in those with lower total Gleason scores (P = .045). CONCLUSION: The frequency of BK virus infection in PCa patients was higher than BPH patients. BK virus was more often observed in patients with lower Gleason scores. Less detection of BK virus DNA in overt cancer may prove the activity of the virus which paves the way for tumorigenic transformation at early stages of PCa.

Frecuencia de virus papiloma humano en tumores no ginecológicos de la Región de la Araucanía, Chile / Human papilloma virus frequency in non-gynecological tumors in the Araucanía Region, Chile

El Virus Papiloma Humano (HPV por sus siglas en inglés) es una de las infecciones de transmisión sexual más frecuentes del mundo y se encuentra presente en la mayoría de los cánceres de cuello uterino. Se ha descrito su presencia en otros tipos de cáncer no ginecológicos como lo son esófago y próstata. Sin embargo, las frecuencias de HPV descritas hasta el momento para estos tipos de cáncer son muy variables, y no hay artículos donde se muestren la presencia de HPV en estas neoplasias en Chile. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de HPV en muestras de biopsias de tumores no ginecológicos y tejido inflamatorio de pacientes de la región de La Araucanía. Se extrajo DNA desde un total de 47 biopsias de pacientes con esofagitis, 25 con carcinoma escamoso esofágico, 20 con hiperplasia nodular de la próstata y 39 con adenocarcinoma prostático. Estas fueron analizadas por PCR de la región L1 del virus y posterior genotipificación por reverse line blot. Se detectó HPV en el 53,2% de las muestras de esofagitis, 48% en muestras de carcinoma escamoso esofágico, 15% en hiperplasia nodular de la próstata y un 15,4% en los casos de adenocarcinoma prostático. Siendo los más frecuentes los genotipos de HPV 16 y 18, ya sea en infecciones simples o junto con otros genotipos, en lesiones preneoplásicas y neoplásicas de los tejidos estudiados. Existe una alta frecuencia de infección por HPV en biopsias de esofagitis y tejido inflamatorio esofágico de pacientes de la región de la Araucanía. En los casos de adenocarcinoma prostático e hiperplasia nodular de la próstata se observa una baja frecuencia de HPV.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world and it is present in practically all cervical cancers. Its presence was described in other types of non-gynecologic cancer such as esophageal and prostate. However, HPV frequency described for these cancers is highly variable, and there are no articles describing the presence of HPV in these tumors in Chile. To determine HPV frequency in samples from biopsies of non-gynecological tumors and inflammatory tissue from patients in the Araucanía region, DNA was extracted from a total of 47 biopsies from patients with esophagitis, 25 with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 20 with prostate nodular hyperplasia and 39 with prostate adenocarcinoma. These were analyzed by PCR of HPV L1 region and subsequent genotyping by reverse line blot. HPV was detected in 53.2% of esophagitis samples, 48% in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, 15% in prostatitis and 15.4% in cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma. The most frequent HPV genotypes were 16 and 18, either single or in combination with other genotype infections, in inflammatory tissue and neoplastic lesions. In patients of the Araucanía region, there is a high rate of HPV infection in biopsies obtained in esophagitis and esophageal inflammatory tissue. In cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma and prostate nodular hyperplasia a low rate of HPV was observed.

Detection of Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in prostate biopsy samples.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of Xenotropic murine leukemia virus related virus (XMRV) infection with prostate cancer and compare it with benign prostate hyperplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Histopathology and Molecular Pathology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from January 2009 to December 2012. METHODOLOGY: XMRV was screened in 50 prostate cancer and 50 benign prostatic hyperplasia biopsies using conventional end-point PCR. Other studied variables were family history of prostate cancer, patients age and Gleason score. RESULTS: XMRV was detected in 4 (8%) of the 50 prostate cancer biopsy specimens compared to none in biopsies with benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, there was no significant statistical association of XMRV infection with the other variables. CONCLUSION: A low frequency of XMRV infection was found in this case-control study. Men, who harbor XMRV infection, may be at increased risk of prostate cancer but this needs to be investigated further at a larger scale.

Evaluation of human papillomavirus infections in prostatic disease: a cross-sectional study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: The role of inflammation in prostate diseases is suggested by the presence of inflammatory cells within the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) patients. In addition, bacterial and viral infection may lead to chronic and recurrent inflammation of the prostate. The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a family of sexually transmitted viruses which have been implicated in the aetiology of cervical cancer and several other malignancies. This study evaluated the frequency of HPV infection in individuals with prostatic disease in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included formalin fixed paraffin- embedded tissue samples of 196 primary prostate cases, including 29 PCa and 167 BPH samples. HPV DNA was purified and amplified through MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ primers with nested PCR. All patients were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect demographic information. RESULTS: Nested PCR showed that HPV DNA was found in 17.2 percent of PCa samples and 4.8 percent of BPH samples (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Our data do not support a significant role of HPV infection in prostatic disease in Iranian patients, but demographic data indicated a probable association between presence of HPV DNA and risk of inflammation in prostate tissue which might lead to prostate carcinoma. Further studies are required to elucidate any roles of HPV infection in prostatic disease.

Analysis of the codon 72 polymorphism of TP53 and human papillomavirus infection in Iranian patients with prostate cancer.

The TP53 gene is one of the most important tumor suppressor genes controlling DNA transcription and cell regulation. Common polymorphisms in p53 gene may play a role in some cancers. Some studies have reported an association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and HPV infection are responsible for susceptibility to prostate cancer in Iranian men. The prostate biopsies were taken during surgery from 68 Iranian prostatic cancer patients, and 85 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. For genotyping of the p53 polymorphism at codon 72, PCRRFLP methods were used and the PCR products were digested with BstU1. An attempt was also made to detect HPV DNA in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer specimens. Among cancer cases, the distribution of Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro genotypes were 26.5%, 45.4%, and 19.1%, respectively. Among patients with benign prostate hyperplasia, the distribution of Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro, and Pro/Pro genotypes were 27%, 53%, and 20%, respectively. The allele frequencies did not differ significantly between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia samples. Human papillomavirus was detected only in three patients (4.4%; P = 0.71). The results from this study suggest that the TP53 codon 72 polymorphism and HPV infection do not confer susceptibility to prostate cancer in the Iranian population. Larger population-based studies are needed to clarify the relation between prostate carcinoma and p53 polymorphism and HPV infection.

Differential patterns of large tumor antigen-specific immune responsiveness in patients with BK polyomavirus-positive prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The role of the polyomavirus BK (BKV) large tumor antigen (L-Tag) as a target of immune response in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) has not been investigated thus far. In this study, we comparatively analyzed humoral and cellular L-Tag-specific responsiveness in age-matched patients bearing PCa or benign prostatic hyperplasia, expressing or not expressing BKV L-Tag-specific sequences in their tissue specimens, and in non-age-matched healthy individuals. Furthermore, results from patients with PCa were correlated to 5-year follow-up clinical data focusing on evidence of biochemical recurrence (BR) after surgery (prostate specific antigen level of ≥0.2 ng/ml). In peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with PCa with evidence of BR and BKV L-Tag-positive tumors, stimulation with peptides derived from the BKV L-Tag but not those derived from Epstein-Barr virus, influenza virus, or cytomegalovirus induced a peculiar cytokine gene expression profile, characterized by high expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor ß1 and low expression of gamma interferon genes. This pattern was confirmed by protein secretion data and correlated with high levels of anti-BKV L-Tag IgG. Furthermore, in PBMC from these PCa-bearing patients, L-Tag-derived peptides significantly expanded an IL-10-secreting CD4(+) CD25(+(high)) CD127(-) FoxP3(+) T cell population with an effector memory phenotype (CD103(+)) capable of inhibiting proliferation of autologous anti-CD3/CD28-triggered CD4(+) CD25(-) T cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that potentially tolerogenic features of L-Tag-specific immune response are significantly associated with tumor progression in patients with BKV(+) PCa.

Human papillomavirus in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic adenocarcinoma patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) types in tissue and HPV antibodies in prostatic disease. Prostate tissue samples were collected from 51 patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and 11 with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). All tissue samples were confirmed by histology. Plasma samples were available for 52 prostate patients. We investigated HPV DNA prevalence by PCR, and PCR positive samples were HPV type determined by sequencing. Prevalence of antibodies against twenty-seven HPV proteins from fourteen different HPV types was assessed in the plasma samples. The HPV DNA prevalence in the tissue samples was 14% (7/51) for prostate cancer samples and 27% (3/11) for BPHs. HPV-18 was the only type detected in tissue samples (10/62). No significant difference in HPV prevalence between the prostate cancer and BPH samples was found. HPV-positive cells were identified in eight of our thirteen prostate tissue slides (3/3 BPH and 5/10 adenocarcinoma) by in situ hybridisation, and the positive cells were found in epithelial cells and peripheral blood cells. Serology data showed no significant increase in levels of antibodies against any of the HPV-18 proteins tested for in prostatic disease patients. Antibodies against HPV-1, HPV-4, HPV-6 and HPV-11 were significantly higher in the group of males with prostatic disease. Our study did not show an association between prostatic disease and either presence of HPV DNA in samples or previous exposure of high-risk HPV.

Low frequency of human papillomavirus detection in prostate tissue from individuals from Northern Brazil.

The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) was evaluated in 65 samples of prostate tumours and six samples of prostates with benign prostatic hyperplasia from individuals from Northern Brazil. We used a highly sensitive test, the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test, to detect 37 high and low-risk HPV types. In this study, only 3% of tumour samples showed HPV infection. Our findings support the conclusion that, despite the high incidence of HPV infection in the geographic regions studied, HPV was not associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the frequency of HPV detection in prostatic tissue of individuals from Brazil.

Low frequency of human papillomavirus detection in prostate tissue from individuals from Northern Brazil

The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) was evaluated in 65 samples of prostate tumours and six samples of prostates with benign prostatic hyperplasia from individuals from Northern Brazil. We used a highly sensitive test, the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test, to detect 37 high and low-risk HPV types. In this study, only 3 percent of tumour samples showed HPV infection. Our findings support the conclusion that, despite the high incidence of HPV infection in the geographic regions studied, HPV was not associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the frequency of HPV detection in prostatic tissue of individuals from Brazil.

Lack of detection of human papillomavirus infection by hybridization test in prostatic biopsies.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of finding human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the prostate tissue of a cohort of Saudi men presenting with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer. METHODS: A cohort study on prospectively collected tissue samples was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from March 2007 to December 2008 on a total of 56 male patients, age range 50-93 years (average 68), diagnosed as having BPH or prostate cancer. The HPV DNA hybridization by hybrid capture 2 technology was performed on prostate biopsies of these patients to detect 18 types of HPV infection, and differentiate between 2 HPV DNA groups, the low-risk types, and the high/intermediate risk types. RESULTS: The tissues of all the prostatic biopsies were negative for HPV DNA. CONCLUSION: Our results, using the hybridization test, indicate that it is unlikely that HPV-16 or HPV-18, or the other tested subtypes, enhance the risk of prostate cancer.

Human prostate supports more efficient replication of HIV-1 R5 than X4 strains ex vivo.

BACKGROUND: In order to determine whether human prostate can be productively infected by HIV-1 strains with different tropism, and thus represent a potential source of HIV in semen, an organotypic culture of prostate from men undergoing prostatic adenomectomy for benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) was developed. The presence of potential HIV target cells in prostate tissues was investigated using immunohistochemistry. The infection of prostate explants following exposures with HIV-1 R5, R5X4 and X4 strains was analyzed through the measure of RT activity in culture supernatants, the quantification of HIV DNA in the explants and the detection of HIV RNA+ cells in situ. RESULTS: The overall prostate characteristics were retained for 21/2 weeks in culture. Numerous potential HIV-1 target cells were detected in the prostate stroma. Whilst HIV-1 R5SF162 strain consistently productively infected prostatic T lymphocytes and macrophages, the prototypic X4IIIB strain and a primary R5X4 strain showed less efficient replication in this organ. CONCLUSION: The BPH prostate is a site of HIV-1 R5 replication that could contribute virus to semen. A limited spreading of HIV-1 X4 and R5X4 in this organ could participate to the preferential sexual transmission of HIV-1 R5 strains.

Human herpesvirus 8 seroprevalence among prostate cancer case patients and control subjects.

To investigate a possible association between human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and prostate cancer, we evaluated HHV-8 seroprevalence in 2 case-control studies. HHV-8 antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence with cells expressing lytic viral proteins and by enzyme immunoassays with recombinant viral structural protein (K8.1) and latent protein (latency-associated nuclear antigen-1; open reading frame 73), respectively. HHV-8 seroprevalence tended to be lower in patients with prostate cancer than in control subjects, but there was no significant difference in either study. These data imply that HHV-8 is not a major prevalent cause of prostate cancer.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA and p53 codon 72 polymorphism in prostate carcinomas of patients from Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Infections with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), causatively linked to cervical cancer, might also play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Furthermore, the polymorphism at codon 72 (encoding either arginine or proline) of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene is discussed as a possible determinant for cancer risk. The HPV E6 oncoprotein induces degradation of the p53 protein. The aim of this study was to analyse prostate carcinomas and hyperplasias of patients from Argentina for the presence of HPV DNA and the p53 codon 72 polymorphism genotype. METHODS: HPV DNA detection and typing were done by consensus L1 and type-specific PCR assays, respectively, and Southern blot hybridizations. Genotyping of p53 codon 72 polymorphism was performed both by allele specific primer PCRs and PCR-RFLP (Bsh1236I). Fischer's test with Woolf's approximation was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 17 out of 41 (41.5%) carcinoma samples, whereas all 30 hyperplasia samples were HPV-negative. Differences in p53 codon 72 allelic frequencies were not observed, neither between carcinomas and hyperplasias nor between HPV-positive and HPV-negative carcinomas. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the p53 genotype is probably not a risk factor for prostate cancer, and that HPV infections could be associated with at least a subset of prostate carcinomas.

Increased levels of human papillomavirus type 16 DNA in a subset of prostate cancers.

Whether oncogenic human papilloma viruses (HPVs) are involved in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers has been a subject of great controversy. To clarify the contradictory results of investigations, with the aim of detecting viral nucleic acids in prostate cancers, we have carried out a comparative quantitation of the HPV16-E6 sequence in 84 prostate specimens. Using single-tube quantitative competitive PCR, we characterized 47 prostate cancers and 37 control tissues of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A subgroup of the prostate tumors (10 of 47; 21%) was detected as having significantly higher copy numbers of HPV16-E6 sequences when compared to the control tissue (1 of 37; 3%), using a cutoff value of 300 copies per 12,500 diploid cells (two-sided Fisher's exact test, P = 0.02). Our results indicate that the oncogenic HPV16 might contribute to the development of a subset of prostate tumors.

Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in archival specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic cancer using a highly sensitive nested PCR method.

Human papillomavirus is thought to be an etiological factor for urological tumors such as penile cancer. However, there is much conflicting data surrounding prostatic cancer. We recently established a highly sensitive nested PCR method with consensus human papillomavirus (HPV) primers for the detection of many high-risk HPV types. HPV DNA from the long-control region (LCR) to E7 open reading frame was amplified with first primer pairs and subsequently amplified with second internal E6-E7 primers. Our nested PCR method could detect HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, 58 and some undetermined HPV DNAs. Using this method, we investigated the existence of HPV DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue of the prostate. We found HPV DNA in three of 71 specimens of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in none of 38 prostatic carcinomas. These three samples were infected with HPV 16. These results suggest that HPV is not a causal factor for prostatic cancer and BPH.