Human papillomaviruses and DNA ploidy in anal condylomata acuminata

Previous studies have emphasized the usefulness of DNA ploidy measurement a nd Human Papillomavirus (HPV) detection as pronostic markers in low grade c ervical lesions. We addressed the eventual relationship between HPV type, D NA profile, and p53 tumor suppressor protein expression in anal condylomata acuminata to eventually determine parameters which may be considered as pr edictive risk factors for the development of cancer. DNA ploidy was assesse d by image cytometry after Feulgen staining of contiguous serial sections o f 45 anal condylomata acuminata without atypia containing HPV detected by i n situ hybridization and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). p53 expression wa s detected by immunohistochemistry. DNA aneuploidy was found in 53.3% of th ese lesions, 48.9% containing non oncogenic HPV types 6 and/or 11 and 4.4% harbouring HPV types 11 and 18. The DNA diploid lesions were all associated with non oncogenic HPV types 6 and/or 11 and one case also contained HPV t ype 33. There was no significant correlation between the detection of DNA a neuploidy and the presence of immunodetected p53. DNA aneuploidy was not re lated to the presence of oncogenic HPV in anal condylomata acuminata. The D NA aneuploid profile frequently observed, especially in lesions associated with non oncogenic HPV types, is not yet well explained and cannot be consi dered as a prognostic factor. In contrast, a more intensive clinical follow -up should be proposed in patients with oncogenic HPV associated to DNA ane uploidy.