Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus in Bladder Cancer: An Exploratory Study from a UK-Based Population

TL;DR

This study explores the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus in bladder cancer samples from the UK, finding it in a significant portion of malignant cases.

Contribution

This is the first UK-based study to detect high-risk HPV in bladder cancer specimens and confirm E7 protein expression.

Findings

HR-HPV DNA was detected in 33% of bladder cancer specimens.

HPV16, HPV35, and HPV52 were the most prevalent HR-HPV types.

E7 protein expression was confirmed in 81% of HR-HPV DNA-positive samples.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection globally and is linked to the development of various cancers. While several international studies have investigated the incidence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) in bladder cancers, no such research has been conducted within the UK. Conflicting results in previous studies leave uncertainty regarding the role of HR-HPV in bladder cancer. This study aimed to assess the presence of HR-HPV DNA in bladder cancer specimens from the UK. Methods: A total of 55 fresh bladder specimens, including 4 benign and 51 malignant samples, were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing to detect 12 HR-HPV types. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to confirm the expression of the HPV E7 protein in HR-HPV-positive samples. Results: HR-HPV DNA was detected in 33% of bladder cancer specimens, with HPV16, HPV35, and HPV52 being the most prevalent types. None of the benign samples tested positive for HR-HPV. IHC confirmed HPV E7 protein expression in 81% of HR-HPV DNA-positive cancer samples. Conclusions: The findings suggest that HR-HPV may play a role in a subset of bladder cancers in the UK. The absence of HR-HPV in benign bladder specimens supports its potential involvement in cancer progression. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanistic role of HR-HPV in bladder cancer development.

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