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

Aims: Persistent infection with high-risk human papilloma (HPV) viruses are a prerequisite for the development of cervical cancer. We investigated the prognostic value of HPV-16 capsid antibodies in patients with invasive cervical cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological factors. 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 of 150 patients (43.3%) and in 12 of 40 controlls (30.0%). Seropositivit…