Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) arise in the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract. Tobacco and alcohol use have been reported to be associated with HNSCC. Infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of HNSCCs. It is now widely accepted that high-risk HPV is a cause of almost all cervical cancers as well as some forms of HNSCCs. HPV-related HNSCCs are increasing. HPV-related HNSCCs and HPV-unrelated HNSCCs differ with respect to the molecular mechanisms underlying their oncogenic processes. HPV-related HNSCCs are known to have a better prognosis response to treatment as compared with HPV-unrelated HNSCCs. Therefore, in recent years, it has been required to accurately discriminate between HPV-related and HPV-unrelated HNSCCs. To diagnose the HPV-related HNSCCs, various methods including P16 immunohistochemistry, FISH, and genetic analyses of the HPV gene from histopathological and liquid biopsy specimens have been employed. Based on the results of the differential diagnosis, various treatments employing EGFR TKI and low-dose radiation have been employed. Here, we review the involvement of the HPV virus in HNSCCs as well as the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis, classification, prognosis, diagnostic procedures, and therapy of the disease.
Highlights
The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in carcinogenicity was confirmed in 1983 following the cloning of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) 16 type from cervical carcinoma tissue by Durst and colleagues [1]
As reviewed by Kreimer et al [3], HPV DNA has been detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma arising from various anatomic sites
This review summarizes the involvement of HPV virus, molecular pathological implications, classification and prognosis, and prospects for future treatment in head and neck cancers
Summary
The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in carcinogenicity was confirmed in 1983 following the cloning of HPV 16 type from cervical carcinoma tissue by Durst and colleagues [1]. As reviewed by Kreimer et al [3], HPV DNA has been detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma arising from various anatomic sites. HPV16 is the predominant HPV type, accounting for 90% of HPV DNA-positive HNSCCs. Various studies involving mainly HPV 16 have shown that viral DNA is diffusely present in tumor cells of whole tumor, and exhibits clonality when detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) [4,5,6]. In an analysis of paraffin-embedded biopsies of 116 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas by in situ DNA hybridization using 35S-labelled HPV (types 6, 11, 16 and 30) DNA probes, 15/116 (12.9%) tumors were shown to contain the DNA of at least 1 HPV type. This review summarizes the involvement of HPV virus, molecular pathological implications, classification and prognosis, and prospects for future treatment in head and neck cancers
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