Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes the results of a study examining the association between e-cigarette use and oral human papillomavirus (hPV) infection, a sexually transmitted virus that is a causal factor in the development of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The study utilizes data from the National health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NhaNES) to investigate the relationship between e-cigarette use and oral hPV-16 infection.
Key Points:
* The study found that e-cigarette users were more likely to be male, younger, non-hispanic white, and have a greater number of lifetime oral sex partners.
* among current e-cigarette users, 2.7% had oral hPV-16 detected, compared to 0.5% in nonusers.
* In univariate analysis, e-cigarette use was associated with an increased likelihood of oral hPV-16 infection.
* after adjustment for age, sex, race, and oral sexual partners, e-cigarette use remained significantly associated with oral hPV-16 infection.
* In a subgroup analysis of participants that denied concurrent conventional cigarette use, a similar association was found.
* E-cigarette use has been previously shown to be associated with a decreased expression of immune-related genes, which could offer potential mechanistic support for these observations.
Main Message:
The study demonstrates a significant association between the current use of e-cigarettes and oral hPV-16 infection. These findings warrant further investigation to confirm this association in a larger sample and determine the underlying mechanism by which e-cigarette use increases the persistence of hPV infection. With the rising incidence of hPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, improved understanding of the risk factors for the disease will aid efforts to eradicate high-risk hPV infection. The parallel efforts to reduce e-cigarette usage and eliminate high-risk hPV infection should be considered in regulatory and public health efforts.
Citation
herndon P, Jassal JS, Cramer JD. association between E-cigarette use and oral hPV-16 infection. Oral oncology. 2022;125:105676. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2021.105676
