Association of G12D mutation in the KRAS gene with HPV and EBV in gastrointestinal cancer tissues

Sep 21, 2026

Study objective focuses on clarifying the association between viral infections and gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies by examining KRAS G12D mutations and the presence of HPV and EBV in GI tumors. A cross-sectional design analyzed 92 GI cancer patients and 100 healthy controls, using real-time PCR to detect KRAS G12D and viral DNA. Results report viral detection rates across gastric and colorectal cancers and describe heterozygous and homozygous mutation patterns linked to HPV/EBV positivity.

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Association of G12D mutation in the KRAS gene with HPV and EBV in gastrointestinal cancer tissues Vahideh Hamidi Sofiani 1 , Arefeh Ebrahimian Shiadeh 1, Alijan Tabarraei 1, Hadi Razavi Nikoo 1, Farzin Sadeghi2, Ghodsieh Kamrani3, Yousef Yahyapour2 and Abdolvahab Moradi 1 Journal of International Medical Research 2024, Vol. 52(12) 1–17! The Author(s) 2024 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/03000605241302302](DOI: 10.1177/03000605241302302)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/03000605241302302)[journals.sagepub.com/home/imr](journals.sagepub.com/home/imr) Abstract Objective: This study aimed to explore the potential relationship between viral infections and gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, focusing on the presence of KRAS G12D mutations. Specifically, we investigated the association of viral agents, including human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), with KRAS G12D mutations in GI cancers to better understand their combined role in cancer development. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 92 patients diagnosed with GI cancer and 100 healthy individuals in the control group. All samples were examined to detect the KRAS G12D gene mutation and the existence of HPV and EBV using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Results: HPV and EBV DNA were detected in 5.4% and 51.4% of gastric cancer samples and in 7.3% and 49.1% of colorectal cancer samples, respectively. Analysis of KRAS G12D in plasma samples revealed heterozygous mutations in 54% of patients with gastric cancer and 35% of patients with colorectal tumors. Among EBV-positive colorectal cancer samples, 1.8% were wild-type, while 47.2% exhibited heterozygous mutations. Among HPV-positive colorectal cancer patients, 1.8% exhibited wild-type KRAS, 5.4% had heterozygous mutations, and 3.2% had homozygous mutations. 1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran 2Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran 3Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Research Development Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Corresponding author: Abdolvahab Moradi, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Shast Kola Street, Gorgan 49341-74515, Iran. Email: [abmoradi@gmail.com](abmoradi@gmail.com) Creative Commons CC BY: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License ([https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages ([https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage](https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage)). Conclusion: This study detected a significant correlation between the presence of viral agents and KRAS G12D mutations. Keywords Gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, KRAS G12D, human papillomavirus, Epstein–Barr virus, mutation Date received: 29 August 2024; accepted: 7 November 2024 Introduction Gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies are among the most common types of cancer worldwide. Colorectal cancer and gastric cancer rank third and fourth in global cancer prevalence. However, they both stand as the second most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide.1 Currently, approximately 20% of cancer cases are attributed to infectious agents, such as viral infections.2 Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), for instance, have been linked to multiple types of mucoepithelial cancer, including cervical (99 .7%), oropharyngeal (52%), penile (65%), vulvar (62%), vaginal (84 .25%), and anal cancer (80%) .3,4 Furthermore, research h

FAQs

What was the main objective of this study?

To explore whether viral infections, specifically HPV and EBV, are associated with KRAS G12D mutations in gastrointestinal cancers.

How were KRAS G12D mutations and viral agents detected?

Samples from patients and controls were tested using real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect KRAS G12D mutations and the presence of HPV and EBV.

What key findings were reported regarding HPV, EBV, and KRAS G12D?

HPV and EBV DNA were detected in gastric and colorectal cancer samples, and KRAS G12D mutation patterns (including heterozygous and homozygous changes) differed among HPV- or EBV-positive groups.

Sep 21, 2026

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