67: Detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Precancerous and Cancerous Oesophageal Tissue ($39,200)

A grant has been made to a multi-disciplinary team from the LGH and the School of Human Life Sciences led by Clinical Associate Professor Shan Rajendra.

Epidemiological, clincial, pathological and molecular studies indicate that cancer of the cervix often involves infection with a virus – human papillomavirus (HPV). THere is now evidence for a plausible role for HPV in the causation of a certain type of cancer of the oesophagus ie squamous cell type. Reports have documented the presence of the HPV gene in this type of oesophageal cancer. The research team in Launceson postulate a role for HPV in another form of oesophageal cancer ie a glandular form (adenocarcinoma) and its precancerous tissue (Barrett’s oesophagus) on the basis of shared immunology and genetic changes in cancer of the cervix and oesophagus. They hypothesise that HPV might initiate the process of development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in patients who have been made susceptible to this by stomach acid reflux irritation. This study will look at biopsies from people with a range of oesophageal disorders to see if there is evidence of HPV.