Extrachromosomal human papillomavirus (HPV) in multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) patients

There are over 75 different types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Certain types have a strong association with cervical dysplasias. We have previously identified HPV in a chronic benign plasma cell tumor of the cervix, multiple myelomas and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). Since HPV is believed to replicate only in differentiated keratinocytes, we examined these tissues to identify any possible replicative forms. We used genomic Southern analysis and PCR to determine the physical state of the virus. We identified episomal forms in both the malignant and premalignant stages of B cell diseases. These data provide definitive proof of episomal HPV sequences in lymphoid tissues and question the current dogma that HPV is permissive only in terminally differentiated squamous cells.