14/10/2011

39° Congresso della Società Internazionle di Oncologia e Biomarkers
14 – 19 Ottobre 2011: 39° Congresso della Società Internazionle di Oncologia e Biomarkers, Firenze
M. Atzori1,M. Marini1,A. De Montis1,M. Piga2
1 Research Laboratories, bcs Biotech S.p.A. Cagliari
2 Department of Pathology, SS. Trinità Hospital,Cagliari

BACKGROUND:
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of death by cancer in women worldwide. The onset of cervical cancer is strongly associated with genital infection of human papillomavirus (HPV) oncogenic types. Despite HPV is a necessary cause, it cannot be considered sufficient for the development of cervical cancer. Indeed several cofactors, including long-term use of oral contraceptives and high parity, have been implicated in the genesis of HPV-associated cervical cancer, suggesting a potential role of female steroid hormones, such as estrogen, in cervical carcinogenesis.

STUDY AIMS:
The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between HPV infection susceptibility and XbaI polymorphism in Estrogen Receptor gene (ESR1). Indeed XbaI polymorphism may be useful as a potential biomarker to identify different risk classes associated with HPV infection susceptibility and than with cervical cancer risk.

METHODS AND MATERIALS:
In this study, cervical smears were selected from Italian women subjected to cytological screening (Pap Test) and molecular analysis to detect L1 and E6/E7 regions of HPV genome (Biochip). 40 samples had high-grade lesion and high-risk HPV infections (patients) and 56 samples were Pap Test and HPV negative (controls). XbaI polymorphism was determined according to the MAMA principle using allele-specific primers. PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel, stained with ethidium bromide, visualized under UV light and photographed.

RESULTS:
Observed genotype frequencies in patients were: 45 % AA, 52.5 % AG and 2.5 % GG, while in controls were: 35.7 % AA, 57.2 % AG and 7.1 % GG. There was not found significant difference between patients and controls ( 2 = 1.565; p> 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:
The results, although preliminary, suggest that XbaI polymorphism is not involved in susceptibility to HPV infection and can not be useful as a potential biomarker of cervical cancer risk. Further polymorphisms in Estrogen Receptor gene are being analyzed. 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”.