GLOBAL DNA METHYLATION IN HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS INFECTIED WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE GROUP AN EASTERN INDIAN STUDY

Purpose: DNA methylation is a novel biomarker for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection amongst women to identify those progressing to pre-cancer. This study was done to see the HPV genotype distribution among the different population and find out the association between Global DNA Methylation and HPV infection. Method:300 patients participated in the study. Cervical swab was collected and analysed by Real Time Polymerase Chain reaction (RT-PCR) for HPV Genotyping study. DNA was extracted from venous blood to estimate Global DNA methylation levels. Results: Global DNA methylation levels were significantly lower in women with HPV infection than women without the infection. Global DNA hypomethylation was more predominant in unhealthy cervix group and cancer cervix and it was more prevalent in patients infected with HPV 16, HPV 18 and other high-risk strain. Conclusion: In our study we found that other high-risk genotype of HPV had the highest rate of hypomethylation followed by HPV 18 and HPV 16 in cancer Cervix. Hence from a sample of whole blood of women infected with HPV, the Global DNA hypomethylation can be assessed and used as a predictive marker for progression to Cervical Cancer.