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Beta-HPV associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Beta-genus HPV was a significant risk factor for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in healthy people, according to study results recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers conducted a systematic literature search of the Medline and Embase databases for human studies through June 18, 2014. “Human papillomavirus” and “cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma or skin squamous cell carcinoma or SCC or nonmelanoma skin neoplasms” were the search terms.

Case-control or cohort studies in immunocompetent patients that calculated the odds ratio for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that was associated with beta-HPV were independently measured by two reviewers.

Fourteen studies were included in the meta-analysis and included 3,112 adult immunocompetent patients with cutaneous SCC and 6,020 control participants. There was a significant overall association between beta-HV and cutaneous SCC for all detection methods (adjusted pooled OR=1.42; 95% CI, 1.18-1.72).

HPV types 5, 8, 15, 17, 20, 24, 36 and 36 displayed a significant overall association with adjusted pooled ORs in a type-specific analysis. In a subgroup analysis that included studies that used only serology for HPV detection, there was a significant association between overall beta-HPV and HPV subtypes 5, 8, 17, 20, 24 and 38 with an increased risk of [cutaneous] SCC development,” the researchers wrote.

“These findings suggest that [beta]-HPV is associated with a 42% increase in the risk of [cutaneous] SCC among immunocompetent individuals,” the researchers wrote.

“This article represents … the most extensive meta-analysis appraising the epidemiological association of [beta]-HPV subtypes implicated in the pathogenesis of [cutaneous] SCC,” the researchers concluded. “This meta-analysis provides additional evidence of the involvement of [beta]-HPV in the development of [cutaneous] SCC in immunocompetent individuals.” – by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: Chahoud reports being the recipient of the 2015 American Society of Hematology-Hematology Opportunities for next Generations of Research Scientists. Please see the full study for a list of other researchers’ relevant financial disclosures.