AIM: To investigate the expression of HPV-DNA in retinoblastoma tumor samples in China, and to provide preliminary evidence for the role of HPV in sporadic retinoblastoma(RB).

METHODS: Fresh tumor tissues from 22 children with sporadic RB were collected to detect the presence of HPV-DNA using polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and MY09/11 primers.

RESULTS: HPV-DNA was present in 7/22(32%)RB tumors. All the positive cases were sporadic unilateral RB(4 cases were male, 3 cases were female). Two bilateral RB cases were negative for HPV-DNA.

CONCLUSION: The presence of HPV in RB tumors can be a pathogenic factor for sporadic RB. But its role and mechanism in carcinogenesis needs further research.