Mumps Parotitis and Ovarian Cancer: Modern Significance of an Historic Association

摘要

Epidemiologic studies found childhood mumps might protect against ovarian cancer. We investigated whether mumps might engender immunity against a tumor-like form of the glycoprotein mucin 1 (MUC1) to explain this association. Through various health agencies, we obtained sera that had been saved from 161 individuals with mumps parotitis. Sera from 194 individuals without mumps were assembled from the health agencies, blood bank donors, or university volunteers. We used an ELISA to measure anti-MUC1 antibodies and electro- chemiluminescence assays to measure MUC1 and CA 125. Log-transformed measurements were analyzed by t tests, generalized linear models, and Pearson or Spearman correlations. We also conducted a meta-analysis of published studies regarding mumps and ovarian cancer. From the meta-analysis, the pooled odds ratio estimate (and 95% CL) for the mumps and ovarian cancer association was 0.66 (0.47 to 0.91) (p = 0.01). Adjusting for assay batch, age, and sex, the level of anti-MUC1 antibodies was significantly higher in mumps cases compared to controls (p =0.002). In a subset of cases with sufficient sera remaining, CA 125, but not MUC1, levels were higher in cases. Mumps parotitis may lead to immune recognition of a tumor-like form of MUC1 and create effective immunosurveillance of ovarian cancer cells that express this form of MUC1.