Abstract IA30: Comorbidity factors associated with human papillomavirus infectivity: Implications in cervical cancer health disparity
Authors: Kashyap Vivek K. , Khan Sheema , Sikander Mohammad , Maher Diane M. , Kumar Samtosh K. , Sinha Namita , Yallapu Murali M. , Zafar Nadeem , Jaggi Meena , Chauhan Subhash C. 
Published: March 2017

Objective: High-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV E6/E7 cause cervical cancer (CxCa). Certain underserved populations in the United States, such as American Indian and African American women disproportionately suffer from CxCa compared to their Caucasian counter parts. However, precise etiology and comorbidity factors associated with CxCa health disparity are not fully uncovered. Understanding of these factors at molecular level will entail developing novel strategies to reduce this health disparity. In this study, we have investigated the molecular interplay existing between various comorbidity factors, namely, smoking, alcohol and HIV co-infection on the HPV infectivity which are primarily known for the progression of CxCa.

Method: In order to define a molecular association of smoking, alcohol and HIV co-infection with CxCa, Caski and SiHa (HPV infected cervical cancer cells) cells were treated with a smoking carcinogens Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) or alcohol (EthOH) or both for different time periods. Effects of these treatment was analyzed on cell proliferation, clonogenicity, cell migration, cell cycle and the expression of HPV E6/E7 was determined by qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and confocal microscopy. The effect of HIV co-infection on the expression of HPV E6/E7 was also investigated by incubating CxCa cells with conditioned medium derived from HIV infected U937 monocytic cells (U1). Additionally, we examined effect of these cofactors on the expression enzymes associated with cellular oxidative stress using immunoblotting and confocal microscopy analyses.

Results: Our results show that the exposure of BaP or EthOH or their combination enhances the expression of HPV E6/E7 oncogenes. Additionally, cells treated with BaP and EthOH alone or in combination show higher oncogenic phenotypes as evident by increased cell proliferation, clonogenicity and cell migration and invasion. These cofactors in presence of HIV co-infection also augment the expression of HPVE6/E7 oncogenes. Exposure of these cofactors alter cellular oxidative stress via modulation of the expression of PRDX6 enzyme. Interestingly, curcumin and its nanoparticle formulation (Nano-Cur) effectively inhibit BaP/EthOH induced expression of E6/E7 oncogenes, tumorigenic characteristics of CxCa cells and induce apoptosis.

Conclusions: The study suggests a molecular link between smoking, alcohol and HIV infection with HPV infectivity and their potential association with CxCa health disparity. These events however, can be effectively attenuated by curcumin/nano-curcumin treatment, implying its role in CxCa prevention/treatment. This provides hope for developing a feasible approach to effectively reduce CxCa health disparity among underserved populations.

Citation Format: Vivek K. Kashyap, Sheema Khan, Mohammad Sikander, Diane M. Maher, Samtosh K. Kumar, Namita Sinha, Murali M. Yallapu, Nadeem Zafar, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan. Comorbidity factors associated with human papillomavirus infectivity: Implications in cervical cancer health disparity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr IA30.