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Abstract

Title: Sexually transmissible infections and prostate cancer risk.
Author: Huang WY,Hayes R,Pfeiffer R,Viscidi RP,Lee FK,Wang YF,Reding D,Whitby D,Papp JR,Rabkin CS
Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 17(9):2374-81
Year: 2008
Month: September

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sexually transmissible infections (STI) have been variably associated with increased risks of prostate cancer, largely in case-control studies. METHODS: In the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial, we examined risk of prostate cancer in relation to serum antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, human papillomavirus-16 and -18, herpes simplex virus-2, cytomegalovirus, and human herpesvirus-8 in 868 cases (765 Whites and 103 Blacks) and 1,283 controls matched by race, age, time since initial screening, and year of blood draw; all blood samples were collected at least 1 year before prostate cancer diagnosis, except for 43 Black cases. We also assessed risk associated with self-reported history of syphilis and gonorrhea. RESULTS: Prevalences of the 7 STIs among controls were weakly correlated, and all were more frequent among Blacks than Whites, except for human herpesvirus-8. Among Whites, prostate cancer risk was not significantly associated with the individual infections or with their number (P(trend) = 0.1); however, men with one or more STI had slightly higher risk (odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.6). Among Blacks, excess risk was associated with IgA antibody to C. trachomatis (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.6). CONCLUSION: This large prospective study of prostate cancer shows no consistent association with specific STIs and a borderline association with any versus none. Whether a shared response or correlated infection not directly measured underlies the weak association requires further study.