In situ hybridization analysis of human papillomavirus in anal squamous cell carcinoma.

To investigate the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and anal carcinoma, we applied a sensitive in situ hybridization technique to detect HPV messenger RNA (HPV m-RNA) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 18 patients. Using tritium-labeled probes, HPV m-RNA was detected in 12/18 (67%) patients. HPV 6 was detected in four patients, coexisting with HPV 18 in two cases, and HPV 16 was found in eight patients. In six patients, hybridization failed to demonstrate the presence of HPV. With respect to histology, HPV 6 was detected in 1/4 cases of well differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Ten of thirteen moderately or poorly differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinomas demonstrated HPV m-RNA (HPV 16, eight cases; HPV 6, one case; HPV 6 and 18, one case). HPV 31 was not detected in any specimens. These results suggest that HPV infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of anal carcinoma.