Laser capture microdissection and PCR for analysis of human papilloma virus infection.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is considered one of the main factors involved in the pathogenesis of endocervical adenocarcinoma. However, the cellular location of HPV in this type of tumor is controversial. We have developed a method to determine the presence of HPV type 16 in endocervical cancer cells using laser capture microdissection followed by DNA extraction and qualitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results show that HPV type 16 is present in endocervical adenocarcinoma cells.