WEDNESDAY, Nov. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, such as cervical cancer, may result or worsen from the virus promoting carcinogenesis under the low oxygen conditions often found in tumors, according to an article in the Nov. 4 issue of Cancer Cell.

Jiabin An, from Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System-West Los Angeles, and colleagues examined the ability of prolonged hypoxia (1 percent oxygen) to induce the NF-kappa-B cell signaling pathway, an established pathway in carcinogenesis, in 32 human cancer cell lines.

The researchers found that hypoxia activated NF-kappa-B in only four of the cell lines, of which three represented squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix and one represented a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, all of which were infected with high-risk HPV serotypes. The E6 protein of the virus targeted a negative regulator of the NF-kappa-B pathway, allowing unrestricted activation of NF-kappa-B and activation of genes involved in angiogenesis, proliferation, drug resistance, invasion and metastasis.

"Prolonged hypoxia-induced NF-kappa-B activation is apt to promote tumor progression in HPV-infected malignancies and has important implications for the carcinogenesis and potential therapeutic targeting of the relatively common malignancies associated with HPV infection," An and colleagues conclude.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)