Association of two high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV18 and HPV16) with breast cancer in the patients using polymerase chain reaction

Introduction: Two high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV18 and HPV16) immortalize human mammary epithelial cells and reduce their growth factor requirements. Recent studies have identified HPV in a broad range of breast cancer samples. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the association of the mentioned high-risk HPV strains (HPV18, HPV16) with breast cancer in the patients using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) due to the increasing prevalence of breast cancer.

Methods: The current work was a retrospective study involving 60 participants (40 patients with breast cancer and 20 healthy people) at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2018-2019. The participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. PCR was used to detect DNA genomes of HPV18 and HPV16. Data was analyzed using Phi and Cramér’s V with SPSS v. 21 by taking into account OR=95% and P=0.05.

Results: There was a significant relationship (P value=0.014) between HPV18 and HPV16 infection and breast cancer.

Conclusion: A significant relationship was found between the presence of DNA genomes of HPV16 and HPV18 and breast cancer. Therefore, HPV has a significant role in breast cancer.