Study of Immunohistochemistry Technique for Assessing Microvascularization caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Penile Cancer

Penile carcinoma (PeCa) predominantly affects less developed regions of the world. Its risk factors include poor genital hygiene, phimosis, and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection. Angiogenic activation is essential for the survival of neoplastic cells; however, there is limited data on this process in PeCa. The present study aims to review and correlate HPV infection with the angiogenic process in PeCa. A total of 66 articles were analyzed, all with a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, diagnosed between 1994 and 2017, and associated with HPV infection. The review included the markers CD34, CD31, and CD105, as well as pro-angiogenic factors (VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2). Only neoangiogenesis, marked by CD105, was more pronounced in cases associated with high-risk HPV. This suggests an adjunct mechanism of neoangiogenesis promoted or facilitated by this virus. Additionally, other markers such as VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 showed no significance in the analyzed articles, and there was no consensus regarding the use of p16INK4a as an HPV marker.