In Germany in 2013, 482,510 humans fell ill with cancer. According to an estimate made by the Robert Koch Institute, there are approximately four million in the Federal Republic of Germany who will have suffered from cancer in the course of their life. One of the triggers for the development of a cancerous illness can be the human papilloma virus (HPV).
The Chair of Epidemiology of Full Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug, together with the Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring of the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin, studied the significance of these viruses for the emergence of different kinds of cancer. The study was published in October in the reviewed specialist journal "BMC Cancer". This open-access magazine has an Impact Factor of 3.288.
At least 13 HPV types can cause cancer
"Human papilloma viruses are DNA viruses which affect humans. Altogether more than 150 different types are known to exist," explains Prof. Klug. At least 13 HPV types can cause cancer. The viruses attack epithelial cells such as, for example, cells of the skin, the esophagus, the anus, the vagina or the male genital tract, with the consequent development of a tumor at these sites.
However: How many cases of cancer in Germany can be attributed to these viruses? In the course of the investigation, the researchers attempted to perform a first, data-based estimate for Germany. For this purpose, the cancer register data were evaluated in order to find out which proportion of these cases of cancer can be attributed to an infection with HPV. "For different kinds of cancer, divergent data exists in the literature concerning the frequency with which these cases can be attributed to HPV," explains Prof. Klug.
There is a great degree of agreement concerning the genesis of cervical cancer. In more than 99% of the cases, this tumorous illness stems from an HPV infection. With other kinds of cancer, the data vary now and then from between 16 and 90%. "We consciously made use of very conservative values as a basis for the publication and thereby proceeded very cautiously. The number of cases studied by us was consequently underrated rather than overrated," said the epidemiological graduate.
Approximately 7,597 cancer illnesses as a consequence of an HPV infection
A central result: From the 15,936 cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile and oropharyngeal cancer illnesses diagnosed in the year 2013, approximately half (at least 7,597 cases) could be attributed to an HPV infection. Especially women are involved here. The most frequent kind of cancer caused by these viruses is cervical cancer.
"Our data represent the basis for further long-term investigations in Germany regarding the HP viruses and the development of cancer," summarizes Prof. Klug. A strategy for the curtailment of new infections lies in the HPV inoculation. There is a possibility for inoculation against 7 of the 13 to 15 cancer-causing HP viruses. Among these there is also the frequently occurring HPV type 16. According to the currently valid recommendations from the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), all girls are to be inoculated against HPV at the age of between 9 and 14 years, before the beginning of their sexual activity.
Particularly against the cervical carcinoma, the Federal Government also plans extended early recognition, which will also contain evidence for an HPV infection (HPV test). "Our study offers data, which serve for the extended early recognition and for the inoculation as reference values. On this basis, the development can be analyzed over time to see how many tumors can be prevented," explains Prof. Klug.
To Publications in the Journal BMC Cancer
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Contact:
Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug
Chair of Epidemiology
Uptown Munich, Campus D
Georg-Brauchle Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Telephone: 089 289 24951
Email: Sekretariat.Klug(at)tum.de
Text: Fabian Kautz
Photo: TUM