Assessment of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection Characteristics in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma in China.

BACKGROUND

The characteristics of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in different pathological types of cervical cancer in China are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate HR-HPV genotypes and age stratification with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) in China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer by histopathology in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2017, were included in this study. The HR-HPV genotype was analyzed in cervical specimens. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs). All tests of statistical significance were two-sided, and the P value<0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 1,590,476 women were screened for cervical cancer, and 688 cervical cancers were detected, including 554 SCC and 93 ADC. The overall HR-HPV infection rate in SCC was higher than that in ADC (91.2% vs 81.7%, P=0.005). HPV-16 was the most prevalent genotype in SCC (70.0%) but was only 31.2% in ADC (P<0.001). However, the prevalence of HPV-18 in ADC was significantly higher than that in SCC (45.2% vs 7.0%; P<0.001). In SCC, the prevalence of HPV-16 was consistently much higher than that of HPV-18 regardless of age group. Among ADC, the prevalence of HPV-18 was higher than that of HPV-16 in women aged ≥45 years. Interestingly, in those aged <35 years, the highest prevalence was observed for HPV-16. HPV-18 infection has the highest risk of ADC (OR= 12.109; P< 0.001), and HPV-45 and HPV-51 were also found to be associated with the occurrence of ADC. However, HPV-16 infection greatly increased the risk of having histological SCC.

CONCLUSION

HPV-16 and HPV-18 infections are key risk factors for SCC and ADC. The use of HR-HPV genotyping tests in cervical cancer screening and vaccination against major HPV genotypes could reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.