Maybe.
In fact, in a 2008 review of 53 studies published in the journal Lung Cancer, the authors state that HPV may be the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking, and additional research on this issue is strongly needed.
What is HPV?
HPV (human papilloma virus) is a collection of over 100 viruses that can infect humans. HPV is most often spread through skin-to-skin contact, usually sexually. Only a few of these viruses are considered the “cancer-causing” strains, most notably, HPV 16 and HPV 18, the viruses that are currently targeted in vaccines directed against HPV. Infection with a “cancer-causing” strain of HPV does not mean a person will develop cancer. In fact, most infections with HPV do not result in the development of cancer.HPV and Cancer
HPV is now well-established as playing a role in most cases of cervical cancer, as well as many cases of vulvar, penile, and anal cancers. It is also being implicated in some cases of oral cancer, especially those occurring in young, non-smoking women.Does HPV Infection Cause Lung Cancer?
The possibility that HPV may play a role in the development of lung cancer was first suggested in 1979. Several studies since that time have found evidence of HPV DNA in lung cancers, but this varies significantly depending on geography. In the United States, HPV DNA is found in about 20% to 25% of lung cancers. The most common strains found are HPV 16 and HPV 18, strains that are commonly found with cervical cancer as well.Whether the presence of HPV in lung cancer indicates causation (that HPV causes lung cancer) is another question. Current thought is that HPV may be a cofactor in the development of lung cancer, that is, the virus may work together with other risk factors such as tobacco or radon to produce a cancer.
The presence of HPV in lung cancer cells is more common in females, non-smokers, and those with adenocarcinoma, a type of non-small cell lung cancer. Interestingly, those people who have evidence of HPV in lung cancer cells appear to have a better prognosis.
So what does this mean for prevention? Minimizing exposure to HPV through safe sex is a good start. Our About.com Guide to Cancer offers more tips on How To Prevent HPV.
Sources:
Giulani, L. et al. Human papillomavirus infections in lung cancer. Detection of E6 and E7 transcripts and review of the literature. 2007. 27(4C):2697-704.
He, L. et al. Epigallocaechin-e-gallate inhibits human papillomavirus (HPV) - 16 oncoprotein-induced angiogenesis in non-small cell lung cancer cells by targeting HIF-1a. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. 2013 Jan 6. (Epub ahead of print).
Hsu, N. et al. Association between expression of human papillomavirus 16/18 E6 oncoprotein and survival in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Oncology Reports. 2009. 21(1):81-87.
Klein, F. et al. Incidence of human papilloma virus in lung cancer. Lung Cancer. 2008. Nov 17. (Epub ahead of Print).
Lim, W. et al. Assessment of human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus in lung adenocarcinoma. Oncology Reports. 2009. 21(4):971-5.
National Cancer Institute. Human Papillomaviruses and Cancer: Questions and Answers. 02/14/08. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/risk/HPV.
Rezazadeh, A. et al. Detection of HPV in different subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2008. 26, No 15S(May 20 Suppl):22098.
Rezazadeh, A. et al. The role of human papilloma virus in lung cancer: a review of the evidence. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 2009. 338(1):64-7.
Syrjanen, K. et al. Detection of human papillomavirus genotypes in bronchial cancer using sensitive multimetrix assay. Anticancer Research. 2012. 32(2):625-31.
Wang, Y. et al. Human papillomavirus 16 and 18 infection is associated with lung cancer patients from the central part of China. Oncology Reports. 2008. 20(2):333-9.
Yu, Y. et al. Correlation of HPV-16/18 infection of human papillomaviurs with lung squamous cell carcinomas in Western China. Oncology Reports. 2009. 21(6):1637-32.
