The Presence of HPV in Dental Calculus: It’s Role in Pathogenesis of Oral and Cervical Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection accounts for approximately 5.2% of the worldwide human cancer burden. Molecular epidemiologic evidence clearly indicates that certain types of HPV are the principal cause of both cervical and oral cancers. Major oncoproteins E6 and E7 can inactivate p53 and pRB proteins because it happened genome instability and dysregulation host cell cycles. This virus is an epithelial tropism, vulnerable area mainly at the basal layer and epithelial stem cell, because it still has a high proliferation capacity, so it can support the replication of the virus. Virions bind initially to the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains of heparan sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG). More than 99% cervical cancer arise at the cervical transformation zone. In oral cavity, exposed areas of the basal layer will be very susceptible to HPV infection. The HPV presence in the oral area is considered as one of the etiologics of oral cancer in those who do not have bad habits such as smoking, betel chewing, or poor oral hygiene. Our study successfully identified HPV type 58 in dental calculus. Dental calculus, calcified oral plaque biofilm, has been shown to be an abundant, nearly ubiquitous, and long-term reservoir of the ancient oral microbiome, including bacteria, archaea, eukaryote, and viruses. During biomineral maturation process, several biological contents around the oral region should be trapped, including the exfoliated virus contained cells. Dental calculus is a promising source of HPV and carcinogens molecules in the oral cavity and could be used as a biomarker for early detection.