Human Papillomavirus Type 45 Genetic Variation Linked to Cervical Cancer Risk

Strategic Insights -

New research reveals that specific genetic variations in the human papillomavirus type 45 (HPV45) are associated with a higher risk of cervical cancer, particularly glandular precancer/cancer, in certain populations. A team of researchers from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) conducted a whole-genome sequencing study of 1,083 HPV45-positive samples to investigate the relationship between genetic variation and cancer risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the A2 and B1 sublineages of HPV45 were associated with a 3.9 and 2.7 times higher risk of precancer/cancer, respectively, compared to the common A1 sublineage.
  • The A2 sublineage was most prevalent in women from East Asia and those who self-reported as Asian/Pacific Islander (PI) in the U.S.
  • East Asian and Asian/PI women had the greatest precancer/cancer risk associated with A2 infections, with an odds ratio of 5.8.
  • Four individual HPV45 SNPs were significantly associated with only glandular precancers/cancers, with ORs ranging from 7.8 to 20.7.
  • One of these SNPs was a nonsynonymous variant in both overlapping viral E2/E4 ORFs.
  • The study suggests that further research on these genetic variants may improve our understanding of glandular lesions.

Statistics:

  • 1,083 HPV45-positive samples were whole-genome sequenced in the study.
  • The odds ratio (OR) for precancer/cancer risk associated with the A2 sublineage was 3.9 (95% CI = 1.9-8.5).
  • The OR for precancer/cancer risk associated with the B1 sublineage was 2.7 (95% CI = 1.3-5.8).
  • The A2 sublineage was most prevalent in 35% of women from East Asia and 23% of women who self-reported as Asian/PI in the U.S.
  • The greatest precancer/cancer risk associated with A2 infections was observed in East Asian and Asian/PI women, with an OR of 5.8 (95% CI = 1.3-37.4).
  • Four individual HPV45 SNPs were significantly associated with only glandular precancers/cancers, with ORs ranging from 7.8 to 20.7.

Sources:

  • NewsRx LLC. Findings on Cancer Reported by Investigators at National Cancer Institute (NCI) (Whole-genome Sequencing of 1,083 Hpv45 Cases and Controls Identifies Genetic Variants Associated With Glandular Cervical Lesions). Health & Medicine Week. May 30, 2025; p 1840.
  • International Journal of Cancer. Whole-genome Sequencing of 1,083 Hpv45 Cases and Controls Identifies Genetic Variants Associated With Glandular Cervical Lesions. 2025.
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI). Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, MD, United States.