LACK OF EVIDENCE FOR A ROLE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUSES IN TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER

Purpose: In view of the conflicting results reported in the literature , we assessed the involvement of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in the d evelopment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Materials an d Methods: A total of 58 bladder papillomatous proliferations was hist ologically examined and analyzed for the presence of HPV deoxyribonucl eic acid (DNA) sequences by Southern blot hybridization and the polyme rase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: Typical features of condylo ma acuminatum were observed in the bladder specimen of a patient with urethral condylomatosis. Of the specimens 57 had histological features of transitional cell carcinoma but no known signs of HPV infection. H PV-6 DNA was detected in the condylomatous tumor. However, no HPV DNA was detected in the 57 bladder cancers by Southern blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions: These findings do not supp ort an etiological role of HPV in the development of transitional cell bladder cancer.