Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2006; 66 - FV_O_1_10
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-952200

Prognostic significance of serum antibodies to HPV-16 L1 virus-like particles in patients with invasive cervical cancer

S Ackermann 1, MW Beckmann 1, D Skiba 1, G Mehlhorn 1
  • 1Universitätsfrauenklinik Erlangen, Erlangen

Aims: Persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma (HPV) viruses are a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer. We investigated the prognostic value of HPV-16 capsid antibodies in patients with invasive cervical cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological factors.

Methods: Serum samples from 150 patients with invasive cervical cancer and 40 healthy female control subjects were analyzed by ELISA for HPV-specific antibodies to HPV-16 L1 virus-like particles (VLPs).

Results: HPV-16 L1 antibodies were detectable in 65 of 150 patients (43.3%) and in 12 of 40 controlls (30.0%). Seropositivity was correlated with prolonged progression-free (p=0.012) and overall survival (p=0.043). Especially in the early FIGO-stages I and II antibodies to HPV-16 L1 VLP´s predicted a better outcome.

Conclusion: Antibodies to HPV-16 L1 capsid protein showed to be of prognostic value for patients with invasive cervical cancer and lack of HPV-16 L1 antibodies might detect a group of patients with a poor prognosis.