Carbon-ion irradiation overcomes HPV-integration/E2 gene-disruption induced radioresistance of cervical keratinocytes.

To date, only few data exist on mechanisms underlying the human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated irradiation response. It has been suggested, that the viral E2 gene plays an important role in that context. The aim of the current study is to compare the effect of photon- and carbon-ion (12C)-radiation therapy (RT) on cells with different HPV and E2 gene status.

The transcriptional regulator gene E2 of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 influences the radiosensitivity of cervical keratinocytes.

Background: Clinical studies have demonstrated that HPV induced tumors constitute a specific subclass of cancer with a better response to radiation treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate meaning of viral E2-gene for radiosensitivity.

Methods: W12 cells contain episomal HPV 16 genomes, whereas S12 cells, which derive from the W12 line, contain HPV DNA as integrated copies.