Can Human Papillomavirus Cause Prostate Cancer
Australian researchers say they have found a causal link between prostate cancer and infections through human papillomavirus . The virus is usually associated with cervical cancer.
A human papillomavirus infection can either directly or indirectly cause a malignant tumor to develop in the prostate, according to Australian researchers.
Professor James Lawson and Dr. Wendy Glenn of the University of New South Wales, Australia, say there are indications for a possible link between the human papillomavirus and prostate cancer after reviewing 26 studies.The two authors say high-risk types of HPV, types 16 and 18, were identified in all types of prostrate tissue normal or healthy, benign and malignant.
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HPV types 16 and 18 are also responsible for the majority of types of cervical cancer. Lawson and Glenn say there is evidence that those high-risk types of HPV are present in prostate cancer more often than in healthy or benign tumor tissue.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/epa/M. Tsikas
“Although HPVs are only one of many pathogens that have been identified in prostate cancer, they are the only infectious pathogen we can vaccinate against, which makes it important to assess the evidence of a possible causal role of HPVs in prostate cancer,” says Lawson.
has also found evidence of Epstein Barr virus in malignant prostate cancers.
They have published their latest paper in the scientific journal, Infectious Agents and Cancer.
Human Papillomaviruses May Cause Prostate Cancer Too
Peer-reviewed:Systematic review:People:
Human papillomaviruses are known to cause cervical cancer, but now Australian researchers say they may also have a role in prostate cancer development. The researchers looked at the results from 26 previous studies on HPVs and their links to prostate cancer, and found that the high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, which cause the majority of cervical cancers, are also present in normal, benign and malignant prostate tissues. They found that 231 of 1,071 prostate cancers were HPV-positive, whereas only 74 of 1,103 benign prostate controls were HPV-positive. The researchers conclude that it is highly likely that high-risk HPVs have a role in prostate cancer, and suggest vaccinating everyone against the viruses, regardless of gender.
Journal/conference: Infectious Agents and Cancer
Link to research :10.1186/s13027-020-00305-8
Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales
Funder:
How Does Hpv Cause Cancer
HPV infection causes cells to undergo changes. If not treated these cells can, over time, become cancer cells.
Once high-risk HPV infects cells, it interferes with the ways in which these cells communicate with one another, causing infected cells to multiply in an uncontrolled manner. These infected cells are usually recognized and controlled by the immune system. However, sometimes the infected cells remain and continue to grow, eventually forming an area of precancerous cells that, if not treated, can become cancer. Research has found that it can take 10 to 20 years, or even longer, for HPV-infected cervical cells to develop into a cancerous tumor.
Among women whose cervical cells are infected with high-risk HPV, several factors increase the chance that the infection will be long lasting and lead to precancerous cervical cells. These include:
- Having a very aggressive HPV type, particularly HPV 16 or HPV 18. If you have either of these HPV types, make sure you receive diagnostic testing with a colposcopy.
- Smoking cigarettes. Quitting smoking can help your body to fight HPV.
- Having a weakened immune system. If you have HIV or are taking medicines that suppress your immune system, talk to your health care provider about diagnostic testing and follow-up.
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Transformation And Causal Mechanisms
Information about transformation and causal mechanisms have been added to the original Hill causal criteria.
Exposure of cultured normal and benign prostate epithelial cells to HPV 16 and 18 induces immortalisation of these cells . Schutze et al. have experimentally demonstrated the immortalisation capacity of 11 different HPV types . This capacity varies according to the HPV type. This immortalisation, seen initially in cervical cells, is not confined to prostate epithelial cells. Oral epithelial cells, human embryonic fibroblasts and primary human keratinocytes can also be immortalised.
The joint action of E6 and E7 oncoproteins target cellular pathways which involve cell cycle control and apoptosis and thus enable cell proliferation. Upon integration these genes drive cellular immortalisation. E5 can cooperate with E6 and E7 enhancing transformation activity in precancerous lesions .
Immortalised benign prostate cultured cells can acquire neoplastic properties when further exposed to other viruses, such as the murine sarcoma virus and also components of HPVs such as lipopolysaccharides .
What Does Hpv Mean For My Relationship
HPV infections are usually temporary. A person may have HPV for many years before it causes health problems. If you or your partner receive a diagnosis of a disease from HPV, there is no way to know:
- How long you have had HPV
- Whether your partner gave you HPV or
- Whether you gave HPV to your partner.
HPV is not always a sign that one of you is having sex outside of your relationship. It is important that sex partners discuss their sexual health and risk for STIs with each other.
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Treatment Of Cervical Pre
If treatment of pre-cancer is needed and eligibility criteria are met, ablative treatment with cryotherapy or thermal ablation are recommended. Both treatments are equally effective and safe and can be performed in an outpatient clinic.
In case of non-eligibility for ablative treatment or where there is suspicion of cervical cancer, women need to be referred to the right level of health services, where proper evaluation can be done with a colposcopy and biopsies. Excision treatment can be offered when appropriate, and in the case of cancer an individual treatment plan is designed depending on the stage of disease, the patients medical condition and preferences, and availability of health system resources.
When a woman presents symptoms of suspicion for cervical cancer, she must be referred to an appropriate facility for further evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer may include:
- irregular blood spotting or light bleeding between periods in women of reproductive age
- postmenopausal spotting or bleeding
- bleeding after sexual intercourse and
- increased vaginal discharge, sometimes foul smelling.
As cervical cancer advances, more severe symptoms may appear including:
- persistent back, leg or pelvic pain
- weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite
- foul-smell discharge and vaginal discomfort and
- swelling of a leg or both lower extremities.
Other severe symptoms may arise at advanced stages depending on which organs the cancer has spread to.
What Cancers Are Caused By Hpv Infection
Long-lasting infections with high-risk HPVs can cause cancer in parts of the body where HPV infects cells, such as in the cervix, oropharynx , , , , and vulva.
HPV infects the squamous cells that line the inner surfaces of these organs. For this reason, most HPV-related cancers are a type of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Some cervical cancers come from HPV infection of gland cells in the cervix and are called adenocarcinomas.
HPV-related cancers include:
In the United States, high-risk HPVs cause 3% of all cancers in women and 2% of all cancers in men. Each year, there are about 45,000 new cases of cancer in parts of the body where HPV is often found, and HPV is estimated to cause about 36,000 of these, according to the Centers for Disease Control .
Worldwide, the burden of HPV-related cancers is much greater. High-risk HPVs cause about 5% of all cancers worldwide, with an estimated 570,000 women and 60,000 men getting an HPV-related cancer each year. Cervical cancer is among the most common cancers and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in low- and middle-income countries, where screening tests and treatment of early cervical cell changes are not readily available.
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Hpv Might Cause 1 In 5 Cases Of Prostate Cancer Analysis Says
July 13 — Just over 20 percent of men with prostate cancer tested positive for the human papilloma viruses, or HPVs, an analysis published Monday in the journal Infectious Agents and Cancer found.
The link suggests the viruses might be among the causes of a cancer that kills an estimated 30,000 American men each year, supporting the case for universal vaccination, the researchers said.
“The data may indicate that HPV infection may be transmitted during sexual activity and play causal role in prostate cancer, as well as cervical cancer ,” co-author James Lawson, a professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said in a statement.
“Although HPVs are only one of many pathogens that have been identified in prostate cancer, they are the only infectious pathogen we can vaccinate against, which makes it important to assess the evidence of a possible causal role of HPVs in prostate cancer,” he said.
Lawson and colleague Wendy Glenn at the University of New South Wales reviewed data from 26 previous studies on HPVs and their links to prostate cancer.
The high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, which cause the majority of cervical cancers in women, have been identified in normal, benign and malignant prostate tissues, they found.
As many as 45 percent of American men 18 to 59 years old are positive for some form of genital HPV, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Detection Of In Situ Pcr Products
We used an indirect immunolabeling method with a primary anti-digoxigenin antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase to detect the PCR product. Briefly, blocking was performed in 5% BSA in PBS for 30 min. The slides were subsequently drained and an anti-DIG antibody was applied for 2 h at room temperature. The detection of alkaline phosphatase was performed for 10 min using an NBT/BCIP kit . After detection, the slides were rinsed in distilled water for 5 min and counterstained with Fast Green. The slides were air-dried and subsequently mounted in Permount histological mounting medium .
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Take Steps To Reduce Your Prostate Cancer Risk
While not all risk factors for prostate cancer can be mitigated, there are some steps that men can take to help reduce their chance for developing the disease.
Based on the results of the literature review published by Lawson and Glenn, all males ages nine to 45 should get vaccinated against HPV. In addition, living a healthy lifestyle may help reduce a mans risk for developing not only prostate cancer, but a wide range of other illnesses. Its recommended that men take steps to get to and stay at a healthy weight, keep physically active, and follow a healthy eating pattern.6
Inflammatory Pathway Of Prostate Microbiota
Figure 2 NF-κB classical signal pathway under the action of microorganisms. Microorganisms stimulate inflammatory cells to secrete inflammatory factors that bind to related receptors and cause configuration changes, such as IL- α , TNF- α, CD40, lipopolysaccharide and so on, thus activating IκB kinase. This leads to the phosphorylation and ubiquitin of IκB protein, the degradation of IκB protein and the release of NF-κB dimer. Through various post-translational modifications, NF-κB dimer is further activated and transferred to the nucleus to bind the target gene and promote the transcription of the target gene.
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About Dr Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
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Can I Get The Hpv Vaccine
In the United States, the HPV vaccination recommendation is for:
- All preteens at age 11 or 12 years
- Everyone through age 26 years, if not vaccinated already.
Vaccination is not recommended for everyone older than age 26 years. However, some adults age 27 through 45 years who are not already vaccinated may decide to get the HPV vaccine after speaking with their healthcare provider about their risk for new HPV infections and the possible benefits of vaccination.
HPV vaccination for ages 27 through 45 provides less benefit. Most sexually active adults have already been exposed to HPV, although vaccination does not target all HPV types.
At any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection. People who are already in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship are not likely to get a new HPV infection.
Learn more about who should get an HPV vaccine.
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How Can I Lower My Chance Of Getting Hpv
There are two steps you can take to lower your chances of getting HPV and diseases from HPV:
- Get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It can protect men against warts and certain cancers caused by HPV. Ideally, you should get vaccinated before ever having sex.
- Use condomsthe right way every time you have sex. This can lower your chances of getting all STIs, including HPV. However, HPV can infect areas the condom does not cover. So, condoms may not offer full protection against getting HPV.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that raises your risk of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a persons age or family history, cant be changed.
But having a risk factor, or even several, does not mean that you will get the disease. Many people with one or more risk factors never get cancer, while others who get cancer may have had few or no known risk factors.
Researchers have found several factors that might affect a mans risk of getting prostate cancer.
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Effect Of Sexually Transmitted Pathogens On Prostate Cancer
Trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Studies have shown that Trichomonas vaginalis increases the risk of prostate cancer. When Trichomonas vaginalis infection causes inflammation, a variety of cytokines are expressed, such as IL-6, IL-8, KF- κ B. These cytokines will interact with macrophage migration inhibitory factor, PIM-1, and prostate specific antigen to polarize macrophages into M2 and induce prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration . Another common vaginal microbe is Gardnerella vaginalis. When infected by Gardnerella vaginalis, LPCAT2, TLR3, and TGFB2 genes will be down-regulated or deleted, and the loss of the function of these genes will directly promote the progression of prostate cancer . Chlamydia trachomatis is an atypical bacterium that can be transmitted sexually. A recent in vitro study showed that Chlamydia trachomatis can proliferate in prostate cancer cells, resulting in enhanced transcription of IL-6 and FGF-2 genes, while FGF-2 can promote vascularization and metastasis of primary prostate cancer . In addition, after Chlamydia trachomatis infection, NF- kappa B was activated, TLR2 and TLR4 were significantly up-regulated, which promoted tumor progression . Therefore, early popularization of healthy sexual knowledge and safety measures may help to prevent the occurrence of prostate cancer.
Hpv And Oropharyngeal Cancer
Diagram of the oral cavity and oropharynx. The oral cavity includes the lips, the labial and buccal mucosa, the front two-thirds of the tongue, the retromolar pad, the floor of the mouth, the gingiva, and the hard palate. The oropharynx includes the palatine and lingual tonsils, the back one-third base of the tongue, the soft palate, and the posterior pharyngeal wall.
Human papillomavirus can cause serious health problems, including warts and cancer.
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Prostate Microbiota And Prostate Cancer: A New Trend In Treatment
- 1Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- 2Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- 3Institute of Medical Science of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
Although the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer have gradually begun to decline in the past few years, it is still one of the leading causes of death from malignant tumors in the world. The occurrence and development of prostate cancer are affected by race, family history, microenvironment, and other factors. In recent decades, more and more studies have confirmed that prostate microflora in the tumor microenvironment may play an important role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of prostate cancer. Microorganisms or their metabolites may affect the occurrence and metastasis of cancer cells or regulate anti-cancer immune surveillance. In addition, the use of tumor microenvironment bacteria in interventional targeting therapy of tumors also shows a unique advantage. In this review, we introduce the pathway of microbiota into prostate cancer, focusing on the mechanism of microorganisms in tumorigenesis and development, as well as the prospect and significance of microorganisms as tumor biomarkers and tumor prevention and treatment.
Screening For Hpv And Cell Changes Caused By Hpv
Screening tests are used to check for disease when there are no symptoms. The goal of screening for cervical cancer is to find precancerous cell changes at an early stage, before they become cancer and when treatment can prevent cancer from developing.
Currently, cervical cancer is the only HPV-caused cancer for which FDA-approved screening tests are available. Screening for cervical cancer is an important part of routine health care for people who have a cervix. This includes women and transgender men who still have a cervix. Cervical cancer screening tests include the HPV test that checks cervical cells for high-risk HPV, the Pap test that checks for cervical cell changes that can be caused by high-risk HPV, and the HPV/Pap cotest that checks for both high-risk HPV and cervical cell changes.
Sometimes an HPV infection can become active again after many years. Learn more about what it means if a woman has a positive HPV test after many years of negative tests.
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