Thirty years of research on infection and prostate cancer: no conclusive evidence for a link. A systematic review

Background: The potential role of genitourinary infection in the etiology of prostate cancer (CaP) has been extensively investigated for 30 years. Two basic approaches have been used: tissue-based methods (polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization) and serologic assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, etc.). The objective of this review was to answer the question of whether infection of the male genitourinary tract may have a role in the etiology of CaP.

Materials and methods: We have carried out a systematic review of the evidence that was published in the MEDLINE/PubMed database until December 2011. The search terms included "prostate cancer," "infection," and the explicit names of the various infectious agents. Additional studies were identified using a reference search. A total of 74 papers were included in the review, which cover the following infectious agents: human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus, BK virus, JC virus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, trichomonas, neisseria, treponema, Propionibacterium acnes, xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus and Candida albicans.

Results: Despite the variable study designs and methodological approaches that were used, most of the pathogens that were studied were unlikely to be directly involved in prostate carcinogenesis.

Conclusions: The role of infection in the etiology of CaP has yet to be determined despite 30 years of research efforts. A discovery of an infectious agent that is associated with CaP would be of great medical importance; however, such a link would have to be firmly established before impacting on patient care.