Relationship between Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and DNA Damage in Cervical Cancer Population in Gansu Province, China

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the possible reason of the high incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Longnan, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 147 and 124 invasive squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) samples from Longnan and different cities and districts of Gansu province were collected in the present study. All the samples were obtained from patients who underwent biopsies with colposcopy or advanced operations and were evaluated by experienced pathologists. HPV genotypes were examined with a validated HPV subtypes kit. The prevalence of HPV infection in SCC patients of China was analyzed by evidence-based medicine in the published literature. The markers of DNA damage response (DDR) − ATMpSer1981, H2AXp Ser139 (γH2AX), Chk2pThr68, and p53 − were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: HPV positivity, high-risk and multiple HPV positivity, and HPV58 infection were significantly higher in Longnan. Our results show that the prevalence of HPV infection in SCC patients of Longnan are consistent with the HPV prevalence in China. ATM, γH2AX, and p53 expressions in total and HPV+ samples were also higher in Longnan. CONCLUSIONS: HPV-related DDR activation may be one reason for the high incidence and mortality of Longnan cervical cancer.