Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the cause of a growing percentage of head and neck cancers (HNC); primarily, a subset of oral squamous cell carcinoma, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The majority of HPV-associated head and neck cancers (HPV + HNC) are caused by HPV16; additionally, co-factors such as smoking and immunosuppression contribute to the progression of HPV + HNC by interfering with tumor suppressor miRNA and impairing mediators of the immune system. This review summarizes current studies on HPV + HNC, ranging from potential modes of oral transmission of HPV (sexual, self-inoculation, vertical and horizontal transmissions), discrepancy in the distribution of HPV + HNC between anatomical sites in the head and neck region, and to studies showing that HPV vaccines have the potential to protect against oral HPV infection (especially against the HPV types included in the vaccines). The review concludes with a discussion of major challenges in the field and prospects for the future: challenges in diagnosing HPV + HNC at early stages of the disease, measures to reduce discrepancy in the prevalence of HPV + HNC cases between anatomical sites, and suggestions to assess whether fomites/breast milk can transmit HPV to the oral cavity.
Highlights
Head and neck cancers (HNC) account for ~4.8% of cancers and they are associated with a similar percentage of cancer mortality worldwide [1]
These include: (i) oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), which are cancers that arise from lips, tongue, floor of the mouth, oral cavity, etc.; (ii) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC), which are cancers that arise from the base of the tongue, the soft palate, tonsils, back of the throat; (iii) laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCC), which arise from the supraglottis, glottis, subglottis; (iv) nasal squamous cell carcinomas (NSCC; to a lesser extent), which arise from squamous epithelial cells lining the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses [2,3,4]
A recent study shows that an Human papillomavirus (HPV) type (HPV16) detected in breast milk was identical to spouse’s oral HPV, 6 and 12 months postpartum [38,40]; these results suggest that HPV may be transmitted from the breast to the oral cavity of a spouse or vice versa
Summary
Head and neck cancers (HNC) account for ~4.8% of cancers and they are associated with a similar percentage of cancer mortality worldwide [1]. It is worth mentioning that E6 and E7 have other functions, in addition to serving as oncogenes, which help reprogram the cell to enhance the replication of HPV (e.g., antiviral responses). E5 oncoprotein is believed to enhance the cellular transformation by activating epidermal growth oncogenes, which help reprogram the cell to enhance the replication of HPV HPVs are divided into two groups based on their association with neoplasia: low-risk types regulatory factor-1 protein, respectively, and inactivate these proteins; this inhibits interferon and high-risk types. Deep kissing is associated and neck region has been reported in men compared to women [27,28,29,30] This is probably due to a with oral HPV transmission.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
