12/03/2012

15° Congresso Mondiale di Endocrinologia Ginecologica.

7 – 9 Marzo 2012: 15° Congresso Mondiale di Endocrinologia Ginecologica.

M. Atzori1, M. Marini1, M. Piga2, R. Lussu1, A. De Montis1 1 Research Laboratories, bcs Biotech S.r.l., Cagliari 2 Department of Pathology, SS.

Trinità Hospital,Cagliari Persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the major risk factor of cervical cancer and estrogen is suggested as a likely factor contributing to this type of cancer. Several studies have shown a correlation between estrogen exposure and risk of cervical cancer. Although the uterine cervix is highly responsive to estrogen, its role in cervical cancer is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess a possible correlation between rs2234693 -397 (T/C) alias PvuII in Estrogen Receptor alfa gene (ESR1) and infection of HR-HPV in patients with cytological high grade lesions. Cervical samples were selected from Italian women subjected to cytological screening (Pap Test) and molecular analysis to detect L1 and E6/E7 regions of HPV genome. Among 96 samples, 40 had high-grade lesion and high-risk HPV infections (Patients) and 56 were Pap Test and HPV negative (Controls). PvuII polymorphism was determined according to the Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) using allele-specific primers. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Observed genotype frequencies in patients were: 40.0 % TT, 52.5 % CT and 7.5 % CC, while in Controls were: 26.8 % TT, 58.9 % CT and 14.3 % CC. There was not found significant difference between patients and controls (2=2.370; p> 0.01). These preliminary results suggest that PvuII polymorphism is not involved in susceptibility to HPV infection, but might be interesting to evaluate further polymorphisms in ESR1 gene. Additional studies with a larger number of patients will be necessary to establish the relevance of the association between hormone receptors and HPV-induced lesions in the uterine cervix. This work is supported by the operating program of Regione Sardegna (European Social Fund 2007-2013), L.R.7/2007, Promotion of scientific research and technological innovation in Sardinia.