GSTP, GSTT1, XRCC1 and CASP8 genetic variations are associated with human papillomavirus in women with cervical cancer from Zimbabwe

Aim: Investigate the role of host genetic variations in high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs). Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 238 cervical cancer patients. Variants in transport (ABCC2), xenobiotic metabolism (GSTP, GSTT1, GSTM1, NQO1), DNA repair (ERCC1, XRCC1), immune response (TLR4) and apoptosis (CASP8, FASL, p53) genes were characterized. Tumor DNA was genotyped for 14 HR-HPVs. Results: GSTP rs1695GG, XRCC1 rs1799782TT and GSTT1 del/del were associated with HPV51 (odds ratio [OR]: 3.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-11.7; p = 0.02) and HPV58 (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.2-5.8; p = 0.048), respectively. CASP8 rs3834129del/del was associated with HPV16/18 (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2-6.0; p = 0.017) and HPV monoinfections (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2-4.4; p = 0.008). Conclusion: GSTP, GSTT1, XRCC1 and CASP8 variants were associated with HPV-positivity. With further research, a genetic-based screening tool can be developed, to use with HPV vaccines toward preventing cervical cancer.