Detection and Typing of Human Papillomavirus in Verrucous Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and types of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in oral cavity verrucous carcinoma. This was of a retrospective screening study. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples were examined by the polymerase chain reaction using DNA primers specific for HPV types 6b/11, 16, and 18. The majority of patients were seen at referral centers in Ontario, Canada. This study examined 29 oral cavity verrucous carcinomas occurring in a sample of 25 patients from four institutions between 1966 and 1992. All tumors met standardized histologic diagnostic criteria of verrucous carcinoma. The prevalence of HPV 6b/11, 16, and 18 DNA was determined by the PCR technique. The HPV DNA was detected in 12 (48%) of 25 patients. The HPV 6b/11 DNA, HPV 16 DNA, HPV 18 DNA, and HPV 16 DNA plus HPV 18 DNA, were detected in one (4%), one (4%), nine (36%), and one (4%) cases, respectively. The detection of HPV 18 DNA in 40% of oral cavity verrucous carcinomas suggests an association between the presence of HPV 18 DNA and some oral cavity verrucous carcinomas. The etiologic and prognostic significance of HPV 18 for oral cavity verrucous carcinoma remains unanswered and will require further study.