Presence of human papilloma virus in tumor tissue from children with retinoblastoma: An alternative mechanism for tumor development

Epidemiological studies have shown that the use of barrier methods of contr aception is associated with a decreased incidence of papilloma virus infect ion and reduced risk of having a child with retinoblastoma. Thirty-nine pri mary retinoblastomas were analyzed for the presence of papilloma virus sequ ences. Tumor tissue sections were also used to assess the expression of the retinoblastoma protein and proliferative index. Papilloma sequences were d etected in 14 of 39 (36%) tumors. Tumors in which viral sequences were dete cted were associated with a lower proliferative index (68% versus 78%; P = 0.015). Children with tumors containing viral sequences had a lower risk of extraocular disease (odds ratio, 9.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-49; P = 0.008) and a lower birth weight (2.9 versus 3.5 kg; P = 0.030). Based on t hese data, it is our hypothesis that papilloma viruses may play a role in t he development of sporadic retinoblastoma. Detection of papilloma virus seq uences and retinoblastoma protein in certain primary lesions suggests an al ternative mechanism of tumor development for sporadic retinoblastoma.