Abstract
Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is a major risk factor for a distinct subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The current review summarizes the epidemiology of HNSCC and the disease burden, the infectious cycle of HPV, the roles of viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, and the downstream cellular events that lead to malignant transformation. Current techniques for the clinical diagnosis of HPV-associated HNSCC will also be discussed, that is, the detection of HPV DNA, RNA, and the HPV surrogate marker, p16 in tumor tissues, as well as HPV-specific antibodies in serum. Such methods do not allow for the early detection of HPV-associated HNSCC and most cases are at an advanced stage upon diagnosis. Novel noninvasive approaches using oral fluid, a clinically relevant biological fluid, allow for the detection of HPV and cellular alterations in infected cells, which may aid in the early detection and HPV-typing of HNSCC tumors. Noninvasive diagnostic methods will enable early detection and intervention, leading to a significant reduction in mortality and morbidity associated with HNSCC.
Highlights
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes malignancies in five major anatomic sites, namely, oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx
Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
This review summarizes the current knowledge on the oncogenic pathways associated with Human papilloma virus (HPV) and how these insights have translated into the current regime of diagnostics for HPV-positive HNSCC
Summary
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) includes malignancies in five major anatomic sites, namely, oral cavity, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Another study has shown that p16INK4A is overexpressed in a subset of HNSCC lacking HPV DNA, with close to 14% of tumors that were p16-positive were negative by HPV-specific ISH and PCR [61]. This was consistent with an earlier study that showed the presence of HPV DNA in tumor tissues and in oral rinse samples and was associated with the presence of HPV-specific antibodies in sera [94].
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