Human papillomavirus and Epstein Barr virus in prostate cancer: Koilocytes indicate potential oncogenic influences of human papillomavirus in prostate cancer

• Published in: The Prostate Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 236 - 241
• Main Authors: Whitaker, Noel J., Glenn, Wendy K., Sahrudin, Arisha, Orde, Matthew M., Delprado, Warick, Lawson, James S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.02.2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Base Sequence; DNA, Viral - analysis; Epstein Barr virus; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections - physiopathology; Herpesvirus 4, Human - genetics; Herpesvirus 4, Human - isolation & purification; human papillomavirus; Human papillomavirus 18 - genetics; Human papillomavirus 18 - isolation & purification; Humans; koilocytes; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Papillomavirus Infections - physiopathology; Prostate - pathology; Prostate - virology; prostate cancer; Prostatic Neoplasms - pathology; Prostatic Neoplasms - physiopathology; Prostatic Neoplasms - virology
• ISSN: 0270-4137; 1097-0045
• DOI: 10.1002/pros.22562

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to determine if high risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) are both present in the same prostate cancer specimens. METHODS We used a range of analytical techniques including in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS‐PCR) and standard liquid PCR followed by sequencing of the product to seek to identify HPV and EBV in normal, benign, and malignant prostate tissues. RESULTS Both HPV type 18 and EBV gene sequences were identified in a high and approximately equal proportion of normal, benign, and prostate cancer specimens. These sequences were located in the nuclei of prostate epithelial cells. HPV associated koilocytes were identified in 24% of prostate cancer specimens. CONCLUSIONS The presence of both HPV and EBV gene sequences in most of the same normal, benign, and malignant prostate specimens is particularly noteworthy because of recent experimental evidence demonstrating that EBV and HPV can collaborate to increase proliferation of cultured cervical cells. Because the presence of EBV and HPV in normal, benign, and malignant prostate tissues appears to be ubiquitous, it is possible that they are harmless. On the other hand HPV type 18 in particular, has high oncogenic potential and may be associated with some prostate cancers. The identification of HPV associated koilocytes in prostate cancer specimens is an indication of HPV infection and potential oncogenic influences of human papillomavirus in prostate cancer. Prostate 73: 236–241, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.