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

Background: Persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) is a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer. The prognostic value of HPV-16 capsid antibodies in patients with invasive cervical cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological factors were investigated. Patients and 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 out of 150 patients (43.3%) and in 12 out of 40 controls (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, VLPs predicted a better outcome. Conclusion: Antibodies to HPV-16 L1 capsid protein may be of prognostic value for patients with invasive cervical cancer and lack of HPV-16 L1 antibodies may indicate a group of patients with a poor prognosis.