High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Genotypes and Their Association with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study in Southeast Iran

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial malignancy whose etiology involves complex interactions among genetic, environmental, and infectious factors. Although Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a well-established etiological factor in NPC, the potential involvement of human papillomavirus (HPV) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypic distribution of HPV in NPC patients in the Kerman Province in the south-east of Iran.Methods: A case control study was performed with ۱۰۰ tissue samples of formalin fixed paraffin seeded tissue collected between ۲۰۱۰ and ۲۰۱۸, including ۵۰ NPC cases and ۵۰ benign nasopharyngeal controls. Using real-time PCR, HPV DNA was detected and genotyped for HPV types ۶, ۱۱ (low risk) and ۱۶, ۱۸ (high risk). Phylogenetic analyses were carried out to evaluate the genetic diversity of the HPV strains identified. Statistical analysis has been performed using SPSS v.۲۲.Results: HPV DNA was detected more frequently in male patients with NPC, with the highest prevalence observed in the age group ۲۰-۶۰ years. Among the NPC cases, ۳۱ (۶۲%) were male and ۱۹ (۳۸%) female, compared with ۳۸% for the control cases. Among HPV-positive NPC cases, the most frequently detected genotype was HPV-۱۸. Phylogenetic analysis has shown that there is a significant genetic diversity of HPV strains circulating in this area. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between HPV presence and the presence of NPC (p<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: These results affirm further molecular investigations to determine whether the observed HPV genotype distribution has implications for regional prevention strategies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma ، Human papillomavirus type ، Phylogeny ، RT-PCR ، Kerman