Lack of human papillomavirus types 16 and 18 DNA in esophageal squamous carcinoma cell lines

Objective To assess the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the carcinogenesis of the esophageal carcinomas in a high incidence geographical area in Northern China Methods The presence of HPV types 16 and 18 DNA in the three esophageal carcinoma cell lines was examined by type specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Results No HPV type 16 and 18 DNA was found in any of the three esophageal carcinoma cell lines Conclusion The results suggest that the role of HPV in human esophageal carcinogenesis in a high incidence geographical area remains to be elucidated