Investigation of human papillomavirus types in HER2/Neu breast cancer samples among women in Ardabil province

Background The potential role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in breast carcinogenesis has been a topic of ongoing debate and investigation. While some studies have reported detecting HPV DNA in breast cancer samples, others have failed to establish a clear association. This study aimed to examine the presence of HPV in breast cancer tissue samples from patients in Ardabil, Iran, to contribute to the understanding of this potential link. Methods A total of 100 tissue samples, comprising 50 breast cancer samples and 50 healthy control samples, were analyzed. Fresh-frozen samples were transported and stored appropriately until processing. DNA extraction was performed using a commercial kit, and specific primers targeting the HPV L1 gene were employed for PCR amplification. Conventional PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, and real-time PCR were utilized for HPV detection. Results Despite employing highly sensitive PCR techniques, including real-time PCR, no HPV DNA sequences were detected in any breast cancer tissue samples analyzed. Conclusion While the role of HPV in breast carcinogenesis remains an area of ongoing investigation and debate, with conflicting evidence from recent studies, the present study did not detect HPV DNA in breast cancer samples from Ardabil, Iran