Elizaveta Skarga

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Results From the Finnish Maternity Cohort

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted infections, specifically Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), may be associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk. The association between CT and EOC subtypes is unclear. Our aim was to investigate whether history of CT and other infections (Mycoplasma genitalium [MG], herpes simplex virus type 2 [HSV-2], and human papillomavirus [HPV]) are associated with EOC risk by histotype. Methods We measured antibodies (Abs) to CT, MG, HSV-2, and HPV-16/18 in serum samples in a nested case-control study in the Finnish Maternity Cohort (N = 484 cases 1:1 matched to controls). Logistic regression was used to calculate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in seropositive versus seronegative individuals in all cases, as well as serous (n = 249), clear cell and endometrioid (n = 91), and mucinous (n = 144) EOC. Results CT seropositivity was not associated with EOC risk (eg, CT pGP3-Ab: RR, 0.92 [95% CI, .72–1.19]), regardless of disease subtype. We observed a positive association between MG seropositivity and mucinous EOC (RR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.09–2.54]; P for heterogeneity by histotype ≤ .001), but not other subtypes. No associations were observed with seropositivity to multiple STIs. Conclusions CT infection was not associated with EOC risk, with associations observed only for MG and mucinous EOC. Mechanisms linking MG to mucinous EOC remain to be elucidated.