Does HPV 16/18 infection affect p53 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma? An experimental study

Objective: To determine the relations between human papilloma viruses type 16 and type 18 infection and the expression of p53 protein in invasive ductal carcinoma.

Methods: We detected the expression of HPV 16/18 DNA and p53 protein in invasive ductal carcinoma in 45 cases, breast fibroadenoma in 20 cases and normal breast tissues in 20 cases. HPV detection was performed on paraffin sections using biotin-labeled probes by in situ hybridization and p53 protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results: The expression rate of HPV 16/18 DNA and p53 protein in invasive ductal carcinoma is significantly higher than those in breast fibroadenoma and normal breast tissues (p < 0.05); the expression in cases with axillary lymph node metastasis is dramatically higher than those without (p < 0.05); the expression of p53 protein increases with TMN staging advance. The expression of HPV16/18 DNA was significantly correlated with the expression of p53 protein (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Both HPV16/18 infection and p53 mutation participate the occurrence and progress of invasive ductal carcinoma, and HPV 16/18 infection may be the major factor to cause p53 mutation.