Infectious Agents and Cancer最新文献

{"title":"Kaposi sarcoma incidence and mortality trends and disparities in the United States.","authors":"Ahsan Raza Raja, Philippos Apolinario Costa, Muhammad Hyder Junejo","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00710-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00710-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative tumor caused by human herpesvirus 8 and is an AIDS-defining illness. Combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) was introduced in the United States in 1996, after which U.S. KS incidence declined and survival improved; however, persistent racial and sex disparities remain. Our aim was to characterize 1999-2020 trends in KS incidence and mortality in the United States overall, and by race and sex, and to quantify changes in disparities over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We extracted KS case and death counts from the CDC WONDER database (ICD-10 codes B21.0, C46). Age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIR) and mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 were calculated by year, race, and sex. Temporal trends were evaluated using the Mann-Kendall test (Kendall's τ), and between-group differences by t-test (α = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 1999 to 2020, 27,886 KS cases and 4,380 deaths occurred. Overall AAIR was 0.99 in men versus 0.10 in women, and AAMR 0.16 versus 0.01 (both p < 0.001). Black men experienced the highest AAIR (2.23) and AAMR (0.40), significantly exceeding White men (0.79 and 0.13; p < 0.001). Incidence declined in both sexes (men: -46.7%, τ = -0.920; women: -58.9%, τ = -0.848; both p < 0.001). Mortality declined in men (-66.4%, τ = -0.581; p < 0.001). Among women, AAMR levels were very low throughout (mean ≈ 0.01 per 100,000); the end-to-end change from 1999 to 2020 was + 28.6%, yet the Mann-Kendall test did not identify a monotonic trend (τ = - 0.303; p = 0.060), reflecting early declines followed by year-to-year fluctuation around a low baseline.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although KS incidence and mortality have declined markedly since 1999, Black men remain disproportionately affected. Focused public health efforts and enhanced access to HIV care are essential to close these gaps.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"80"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12584236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145444715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human papillomavirus genotypes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: prevalence and public health implications.","authors":"Mai M El-Daly, Arwa A Faizo, Shahad A Madkhali, Nassrin A Badroon, Norah A Othman, Thamir A Alandijany, Anwar Moria, Safaa A Turkistani, Sherif A El-Kafrawy, Esam I Azhar","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00705-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00705-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are prevalent sexually transmitted infections and a leading cause of cervical and other anogenital cancers worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV in Pap smear samples from women attending gynecology clinics at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between September 2022 and July 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study analyzed 260 samples using nested PCR and Sanger sequencing to identify HPV genotypes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall HPV prevalence rate was 6.9%. (18/260, 95% CI: 3.84-10.01%). High-risk HPV (HR-HPV) genotypes 16 (33.3%), 18 (16.7%), and 58 (5.6%) were identified, along with low-risk HPV (LR-HPV) genotype 6 (33.3%). Genotypes 11 and 67 were also detected in 5.6% of cases each. Age-specific analysis revealed the highest prevalence of HPV in the 31-40 age group, at 3.5% (p = 0.04), with HPV16 being significantly more prevalent in this age group. Saudi participants exhibited a higher prevalence rate of 61.1% (11/18) than non-Saudi participants at 38.9% (7/18). Although HPV was more common in non-Saudis, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.39). Cytological findings showed that 88.9% of HPV-positive cases had negative cytology, underscoring the need for HPV screening beyond cytological abnormalities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings highlight the importance of continued surveillance, targeted vaccination efforts, and improved screening programs in Saudi Arabia. Increasing awareness of HPV and enhancing vaccination rates, especially among younger age groups, could significantly reduce the burden of HPV-related diseases. Future research should focus on broader epidemiological factors and evaluate the impact of HPV vaccination programs on genotype distribution and prevalence trends.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"79"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12577313/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploratory analysis of lamivudine legacy and clonal selection of HBs truncation mutants in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.","authors":"Yu-De Chu, Pei-Huan Ho, Chao-Wei Hsu, Chih-Yung Chiou, Ming-Wei Lai, Chau-Ting Yeh","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00703-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00703-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) integration and persistent covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) are key drivers of hepatocarcinogenesis and remain uncured by current nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy. While high-barrier NAs like entecavir effectively suppress viral replication, they do not eliminate transcriptionally active HBV integrants. In this exploratory study, we analyzed HBV surface (HBs) gene truncation mutations in four patients with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), including two with prior lamivudine exposure. Next-generation sequencing of DNA and RNA from serum, tumor, and para-neoplastic liver tissues revealed truncation variants, such as sW172* and sW182* were, exclusively in the two lamivudine-experienced patients. These variants were predominantly enriched in tumor RNA, raising the possibility of clonal selection during hepatocarcinogenesis. No truncation mutations were observed in the two patients treated solely with entecavir, despite detectable intrahepatic cccDNA. These findings support the hypothesis that transcriptionally active HBV integrants, possibly shaped by prior lamivudine treatment, may contribute to HCC via truncated HBs protein expression. The selective presence of certain mutants in tumor tissue suggests a potential biological role, though further validation is needed. Given the small sample size and limited number of lamivudine-experienced cases, our observations should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, the results highlight the relevance of antiviral treatment history in shaping HBV mutational profiles and raise the possibility that integrant-derived HBs truncation variants could serve as biomarkers for HCC risk stratification. Early detection of such variants may help refine surveillance strategies in virally suppressed patients and inform future therapeutic approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"78"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12577067/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145421686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"China's actions for post-political commitment to global strategy to accelerate cervical cancer elimination.","authors":"Hanying Huang, Chaobo Du, Guangqiong Liu","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00708-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00708-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>China is among the largest contributors to the global cervical cancer burden. Problems such as insufficient vaccine supply, high vaccine prices, and insufficient policy support hindering vaccine popularization need to be solved.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the present study, we employed a qualitative research methodology to retrieve and organize policy documents on cervical cancer from 31 provincial and central governments by the documentation method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The current relevant action program of the Chinese government places strong emphasis on screening and treatment; however, the absence of a consistent national HPV vaccination policy remains the most critical gap in China's strategy to achieve elimination.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Based on the findings of this study, several key recommendations emerge to advance China's political commitment to the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"77"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12573873/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145400645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methylation-specific qPCR for the EBV C promoter to quantify EBV methylation.","authors":"Logan George, Paul G Rubinstein, Jennifer Petr, Ariela Noy, Lisa Haley, Emily Adams, Rena R Xian, Richard F Ambinder","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00702-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00702-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/objectives: </strong>Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous virus associated with a variety of diseases including cancers. Evidence has emerged that the C promoter is methylated in many EBV-associated malignancies, whereas in free virion DNA it is unmethylated. We have developed and evaluated a methylation-specific PCR assay for the EBV C Promoter (MSPCP) that can be applied to human biological specimens to quantify EBV methylation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two sets of methylation-specific primers were designed to anneal to bisulfite-converted DNA sequences with 3 CpGs in the forward primer binding site, and 2 CpGs in the reverse primer binding site. We evaluated this method in synthetic oligonucleotides, DNA extracted from cell lines, virion supernatants, and a variety of clinical specimens. EBV methylation of Cp, as measured by MSPCP, was validated with two orthogonal methods in select samples.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In contrived samples, this method had a linear range between 0-100% methylation. Application of this assay to DNA extracted from 11 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens showed high-level C promoter methylation in EBV-associated tumors (94-100%) but not in EBV-associated lymphoid hyperplasia. High-level EBV methylation was also detected in cell-free DNA extracted from the plasma of 13 patients with EBV-associated Hodgkin lymphoma. In contrast, EBV methylation was either not-detected, or detected at very low levels, in saliva from 25 adults in a general university population consistent with the presence of virion DNA.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>MSPCP is a simple, rapid and accurate method that characterizes the methylation status of the EBV C promoter, which may be useful in a variety of research and clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"75"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12574023/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145400630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Why science must speak differently.","authors":"Francesco Branda, Laura Leondina Campanozzi, Fabio Scarpa, Vittoradolfo Tambone, Massimo Ciccozzi","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00707-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00707-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the complexities surrounding public trust in science, particularly in the context of overwhelming data and political polarization. The call to “trust the science” emerged as both a symbol of confidence and a source of public tension, exposing the challenges in communicating scientific uncertainty, data interpretation, and expertise. This paper examines the critical role of communication in shaping public perceptions of science, emphasizing the need for epistemic humility and transparency in the face of uncertainty. While data availability increased, the real challenge lay in its interpretation and the framing of scientific messages for diverse audiences. The paper argues that health crises, such as COVID-19 and the resurgence of West Nile Virus, demonstrate that information overload and poor communication can lead to confusion, mistrust, and the politicization of science. Effective science communication must transcend purely rational approaches and address emotional and social factors through persuasive strategies, including emotional appeals and interactive tools. Moreover, the structural transformation of information flows in digital societies, epitomized by the concept of “infocracy”, exacerbates the challenge of maintaining public trust in science. The paper calls for a reimagined approach to science communication that prioritizes clarity, context, and responsible engagement, fostering a more informed, resilient, and critically engaged public.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"76"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12574302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145400694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19 infection and cancer regression: a review of current evidence, potential mechanisms, and clinical perspectives on a Paradoxical phenomenon.","authors":"Ikponmwosa Jude Ogieuhi, Victor Oluwatomiwa Ajekiigbe, Chinonyelum Emmanuel Agbo, Chidera Stanley Anthony, Adegbesan Abiodun Christopher, Jennifer Chinaecherem Onyehalu, Mercy Chisom Agu, Sylvia Mmesomachi Mbaji, Adewunmi Akingbola, Bisharat Ahmed, Owa Ogieuhi, Olufemi Akinmeji","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00704-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00704-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Since its emergence, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has been a pandemic responsible for about 7 million deaths worldwide. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the virus's multiorgan system involvement, particularly its relation to cancer biology. Spontaneous regression of cancer has been observed in some patients with the coronavirus, which may be attributed to the virus's ability to trigger specific immune responses that can be oncolytic and help reduce and eliminate oncogenic cells. This study aims to explore the paradoxical effects of COVID-19 in inducing cancer regression. The paradoxical effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been attributed to the possibility of a heightened immune activation possibly triggered by the virus, and some of these include increased levels of cytokines such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as the activation of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. COVID-19-induced cancer regression presents new perspectives on the relationship between viral infections and the immune system's antitumor capabilities. This would help foster future research investigating specific immune pathways activated during SARS-CoV-2 and discover how these can be therapeutically harnessed to aid cancer regression.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"74"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12548167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology of high-risk human papillomavirus among women of the north-central region of Ecuador: a retrospective study.","authors":"Francisco Mosquera-Yuqui, David Larrea P, Oscar Ramos, Beatriz Luna, María Fernanda García Aguilera, Tatiana Rojas, Sofía Silva, Marcos Di Stefano","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00700-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00700-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>High-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is the major risk factor for cervical cancer, which remains a significant concern, particularly in low and middle-income countries due to the lack of effective treatment and preventive measures. Examining the prevalence and distribution of HR-HPV is key to designing or reformulating policies aimed at eliminating HPV-associated cancers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted using HR-HPV genotyping data from 9,524 women aged ≥18 years of the north-central region of Ecuador, who underwent cervical sampling either in cervical cancer prevention campaigns or during gynecological outpatient clinics, between January 2015 and August 2022. Samples were tested for HR-HPV using the cobas^® 4800 HPV Test. Infection rates and genotype distributions were assessed across years, age groups, and provinces. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify independent factors associated with HR-HPV infections. Potential association profiles among genotypes were explored through Multiple correspondence analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of HR-HPV was 26.87% [95% CI: 25.98, 27.77]. In particular, HPV 16 was found in 8.64% [95% CI: 8.08, 9.22] of the participants, HPV 18 in 2.85% [95% CI: 2.52, 3.20], and Other HR-HPV in 19.41% [95% CI: 18.62, 20.22]. Fluctuating prevalence trends during the study period were determined, with Other HR-HPV as the only category with a positive trend (aAPC: 3.44% [95% CI: 0.89, 6.05]; p < 0.01). The age-specific infection rate of HR-HPV showed a bimodal distribution, with the younger women (18-24 years old) harboring the highest rate. A second peak was identified in the postmenopausal group of 65-69 years old. Relative to Pichincha, Imbabura exhibited 50% higher odds ratio of HPV 16 infection (p < 0.001), while Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas had 27% and 30% lower odds of Overall HR-HPV and Other HR-HPV infections, respectively (p < 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study represents the largest-scale analysis on the epidemiology of HR-HPV in Ecuador. Given the high prevalence and positive trend of Other HR-HPV, our findings underscore the need for multivalent HPV vaccines. National screening strategies may consider screening of women over the age of 65 years when clinically indicated based on the patient history or physician judgment.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12536524/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145329194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Viral zoonosis and human cancer: a perspective.","authors":"Francisco Aguayo","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00701-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00701-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoonotic viruses, which are pathogens naturally transmitted from animals to humans, pose a significant and evolving challenge to public health. Although most known zoonotic viruses do not exhibit the persistence typically necessary for viral oncogenesis, the potential cancer-causing effects of these infections remain unclear. Persistent infection, latency, or abortive replication within susceptible but non-permissive human cells may allow some animal-origin viruses to evade immune clearance, disrupt host cell signaling, and induce genomic instability-key features of cancer development. Evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies indicates that certain animal viruses can enter human cells, integrate their genetic material, or express oncogenic proteins, even without completing full replication. These mechanisms resemble those of established human oncoviruses and suggest that, under specific host and environmental conditions, zoonotic viruses could contribute to neoplastic transformation. Given the increasing frequency of human-animal interactions through companionship, agriculture, wildlife trade, and food production, multidisciplinary research combining virology, oncology, and epidemiology is essential. Such efforts should focus on sensitive molecular detection, mechanistic studies, and population-based investigations to better understand the long-term cancer risks associated with zoonotic viral infections and to guide effective prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12532834/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145307786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"FAM19A4 and miR124-2 methylation status in human papillomavirus-driven and human papillomavirus-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.","authors":"Maria Gabriella Donà, Eugenia Giuliani, Valentina Laquintana, Renato Covello, Raul Pellini, Silvia Moretto, Alessandra Latini, Maria Benevolo, Francesca Rollo","doi":"10.1186/s13027-025-00697-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-025-00697-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scarce data exist on host gene methylation in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPCs), which are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) in approximately 40% of cases. We analyzed the methylation status of two host genes involved in cervical carcinogenesis, FAM19A4 and miR124-2, in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of primary HPV-driven OPCs (i.e., HPV-positive and p16INK4A-positive), HPV-negative OPCs, head and neck (HN) squamous cell papillomas, and oral rinse-and-gargles (ORGs) from individuals without HN lesions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multiplex real-time methylation-specific PCR on bisulfite-converted DNA was employed (PreCursor-M+, Fujirebio). Hypermethylation for each target was expressed as negative/positive based on the ΔΔCt, as well as by the ΔΔCt ratio (2^-ΔΔCt).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 70 HPV-driven OPCs (66 HPV16+, 94.3%), 71 HPV-negative OPCs, 12 HN papillomas, and 20 ORGs were evaluated. Six of the 153 FFPE-purified DNA samples (3.9%) yielded invalid results. Hypermethylation for at least one target gene was observed in 56 of 69 valid HPV-driven OPCs (81.2%) and 33 of 67 valid HPV-negative OPCs (49.2%; p < 0.0001). None of the papillomas or ORGs were hypermethylated. HPV-driven OPCs showed a significantly higher methylation level compared with HPV-negative OPCs for both FAM19A4 (median ΔΔCt ratio 11.95 vs. 5.49; p = 0.0001) and miR124-2 (median ΔΔCt ratio 15.65 vs. 8.27; p < 0.0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings indicate that FAM19A4/miR124-2 hypermethylation occurs exclusively in tumor samples and that methylation levels are significantly higher in HPV-driven OPCs than in HPV-negative OPCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":"20 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12522942/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145300117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}