Concomitant seropositivity for HPV 16 and cutaneous HPV types increases the risk of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Background A possible causative role for human papilloma virus (HPV) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) development has been suggested but the data in the literature remain discordant. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between HPV-16 and the risk of cSCC development. Materials & Methods Between January 2009 and April 2010, 153 patients with previous cases of cSCC or BCC (enrolled in a previous study, 2003–2005, and tested for antibodies against 28 HPV types) were investigated at a follow-up visit. The risk of developing a new cSCC for each of the cutaneous HPV types was computed separately for HPV-16-positive and in HPV-16-negative patients. Results The five-year probability of cSCC recurrence was increased among subjects with cSCC who were seropositive for HPV-16 at baseline and seropositive for a cutaneous HPV type, but not among those who were HPV-16-negative. We also investigated the association between p53, BKV, and JCV antibodies and an increased risk of cSCC recurrence, however, no associations were observed. Conclusion HPV-16 may play a permissive role for some cutaneous HPVs, thus increasing the risk of cSCC.