Health
HPV linked to skin cancer
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 3, 2006
The human papillomavirus might increase the risk of squamous cell skin cancer but does not appear to make basal cell carcinoma more likely, according to a study published in the March 15 Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Researchers used multiplex serology to detect variations of the virus in the skin of those with these types of cancer and compared them with those who were cancer-free. HPV antibodies were 60% more likely in those with squamous cell carcinoma, but no significant difference was found when skin samples from healthy volunteers were compared with those with the basal cell form of the disease.
Those who developed tumors on skin that had been heavily exposed to the sun were more likely to be carrying the virus than those who developed the cancer elsewhere on their bodies. The risk of cancer also was increased if there were more viral subtypes present.
The authors suggest that this research might lead to new treatments for this type of cancer.
"While further study is needed, a potential role of viruses in skin cancer occurrence could represent a new line of investigation for the detection and treatment of squamous cell skin cancer," said Margaret R. Karagas, PhD, lead author and professor in the Dept. of Community and Family Medicine at Dartmouth Medical School in Lebanon, N.H.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/04/03/hlbf0403.htm.