DETECTION OF INTEGRATED HIGH-RISK HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX

Aim-To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in adenoid c ystic carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods-Eleven archival, paraff in wax embedded specimens were analysed by non-isotopic in situ hybrid isation (NISH) for HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, and 33 using digoxigen in labelled probes. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried ou t on each of the cases using consensus primers to HPV. Results-A total of eight adenoid cystic carcinomas harboured the HPV genome by NISH, of which five were PCR positive. Integrated HPV 16 DNA was demonstrate d in seven of the eight NISH positive cases. One adenoid cystic carcin oma showed integrated HPV 31. HPV DNA was not detected in the three re maining cases. Conclusions-Integrated high risk HPV genome, in particu lar type 16, is associated with this uncommon type of primary cervical cancer.