Evaluating the potential role of human papilloma virus infection in breast carcinogenesis via real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyzes of breast fine needle aspiration samples from Greek patients

Background Human papilloma virus (HPV), in addition to its known clinical contribution to cervical cancer is probably actively involved in the development of breast tumors in various populations worldwide. Predominant HPV types in breast cancer patients vary geographically. The present study further examines HPV incidence in Greece, based on molecular analysis of clinical cytological samples. Methods Greek patient fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy samples were examined using RT‐PCR and immunohistological staining. FNA biopsy samples were collected from 114 female patients, diagnosed between the years 2018 and 2021, 57 with C5 diagnosed breast cancer lesions and 57 diagnosed with benign diseases. Results A total of three different HPV types were identified within the patient sample. HPV‐39 was found only in the control group, in 1.8% of patients, while HPV‐59 was present in both control and study groups in 1.8% and 3.5% respectively. HPV‐16, on the other hand, was present only in the study group in 12.3% of cases. HPV type presence was statistically differentiated between histological groups. HPV‐16 was exclusively in IDC, HPV‐39 was present in one cyst diagnosed sample and HPV‐59 was present in 3 samples that included fibroadenoma, IDC and LN diagnosis. Conclusion More international comparative studies are required to investigate population differences and HPV genotype distribution to offer definite answers to the effect that certain HPV types might have a role in breast cancer, as this study also supports, albeit in a cofactory role.