HUMAN PAPILLOMA-VIRUS DNA - A FACTOR IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF MAMMARY PIAGETS DISEASE

The paraffin Sections from 20 nipples with Paget's disease (10 central intraductal and 10 invasive ductal carcinomas) were analyzed for huma n papilloma virus (HPV) DNA of the low- and intermediate/high-risk gro ups. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot (slot) blot hybridization were used for the detection of HPV DNA types 6/11/16/18/31/33/35. In addition, we examined the c-erbB-2 oncogene expression in the specimen s to differentiate benign cells in the surface epithelium of the nippl e and areola from Paget cells. We found that the oncogene expression o f the c-erbB-2 displayed a strong signal in the Paget cells. Using PCR and dot (slot) blot hybridization, we could not detect the HPV DNAs t hat are specific for the low- and intermediate/high risk-groups in the 20 cases of Paget's disease. Our results showed for the first time th at this type of virus did not contribute to the pathogenesis of Paget' s disease.