HPV could cause prostate cancer – new findings



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So far, human papillomaviruses have been mainly associated with cervical cancer. Australian scientists have now also discovered a link to prostate cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) may be responsible for the development of prostate cancer. This is the conclusion reached by scientists James Lawson and Wendy Glenn of the University of New South Wales in Australia. They checked the results of 26 HP virus studies.

Particularly aggressive types of viruses found in cancer cells

Scientists applied various criteria to studies to classify the connection between cancer and HPV infections. For example, they tested whether HP viruses could be detected in tumor tissue.

As a result, there are several aggressive types of viruses. Particularly high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 can cause cervical cancer in women. However, the two researchers apparently also found evidence that the dangerous types of viruses in prostate cancer can be detected much more frequently than normal and benign tissues, such as warts.

High-risk viruses were found in 325 (22.6%) of 1,284 prostate cancer ulcers and 113 (8.6%) of 1,313 normal prostate cell samples. The study was published in the journal “Infectious Agents and Cancer”.

Humane Papillomviren (also human papillomavirus or HPV) are mainly transmitted during sexual intercourse. The genetic information of the virus is stored in a double strand of DNA, just like in humans. If they enter a human cell and infect it, they can trigger uncontrolled growth of the tissue there. Tumors that develop in this way often appear as warts on the skin and are often benign. In some cases, however, infection with the virus also leads to cancer.

Link between cervical cancer and prostate cancer

Furthermore, the analysis of the 26 studies showed a clear correlation between the risk of dying from cervical or prostate cancer. If cervical cancer mortality was high in one country, it was high from prostate cancer and vice versa.

The evidence provided by the study would support a vaccination recommendation. In Germany, recommendations from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) vaccination commission already stipulate that all adolescents are vaccinated against HPV by the age of 18 at the latest.

The Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) has also recommended HPV vaccination not only for girls aged 9-14, but also for all boys since 2018. “In my opinion, it is unclear whether a subsequent vaccination has some advantages, “said Peter Hammerer of the board of the European Urological Cancer Society of the” MDR “.

More research is needed

However, the researchers point out that HPV’s role in prostate cancer is complex and different from HPV-associated cervical cancer. Furthermore, it has not yet been clarified how exactly viruses cause prostate cancer and what exactly happens in cells. According to the authors, further studies are needed here.

Important note: In no case does the information replace the professional advice or treatment of trained and recognized doctors. The contents of t-online cannot and must not be used to independently diagnose or initiate treatments.

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