Detection of Human Papillomavirus DNA in Cytologic Specimens Derived from Esophageal Precancer Lesions and Cancer

Abstract

A series of 80 esophageal cytologic specimens derived from the same number of patients with previously diagnosed squamous cell dysplasia of the esophagus were examined for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection by filter in situ hybridization (FISH), using a mixed DNA probe containing HPV types 11, 16, and 18. All the patients came from an area at high risk for esophageal cancer in China. A total of 53 cases (66.3%) were demonstrated as HPV-DNA-positive. HPV DNA was detected in 22.2% (2 of 9) of the patients without cytologic atypia, in 50% (3 of 6) with mild dysplasia, in 80.6% (25 of 31) with moderate dysplasia, in 67.9% (19 of 28) with severe dysplasia, and in 66.7% (4 of 6) with an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The present results confirm the recent findings on HPV involvement in esophageal squamous cell lesions. They support the hypothesis that HPV is a possible etiologic agent in esophageal carcinogenesis, most probably acting synergistically with physical, chemical, and/or nutritional factors that have previously been related with this malignancy in the high-risk areas of China.