Detection of HPV in oral rinse samples from OPSCC and non-OPSCC patients.

Juliet Dang,Keith D Eaton,Nancy B Kiviat,Hona Jang,Qinghua Feng

doi:10.1186/s12903-015-0111-x

Abstract

BackgroundDue to the increasing rates of oropharyngeal cancer, oral HPV infection is a significant concern. Methods for detecting oral HPVs is not standardized as there are different techniques available. We propose that use of oral rinse samples to detect for HPVs is a suitable technique within a clinic setting. Thus, our main objective is to study HPV detection in oral rinse samples.MethodsIn our study, we used oral rinse sample collection coupled with real-time PCR to detect for HPVs types 16 and 18, and preferentially amplified FAP PCR samples to detect for a broad range of HPVs, in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), non-OPSCC, and healthy patients.ResultsThirty three percent of 100 cancer patients were positive for any type of HPV; of those 23 were positive for HPV16. Only 1 of 110 healthy controls was positive (this subject was positive for HPV18).ConclusionOur results indicate that HPV detection in oral rinse samples may be useful as a screening tool to detect HPV-associated oral cancers.

Highlights

Due to the increasing rates of oropharyngeal cancer, oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a significant concern
head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cases associated with HPV have been a challenge to screen for, especially oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) cases, which are subsets of HNSCC
Heavy alcohol history was prevalent in 33 % of OPSCC and in 33 % of OSCC patients (p = 0.015) compared to only 12 % of non-cancer subjects

Summary

Introduction

Due to the increasing rates of oropharyngeal cancer, oral HPV infection is a significant concern. We propose that use of oral rinse samples to detect for HPVs is a suitable technique within a clinic setting. Tissues infected by human papillomavirus (HPV) have the ability to evolve into an HPV-associated cancer. This is likely due to a field effect where HPV can modify regular cell functions resulting in malignancy. The most common methods for HPV detection within the mouth and oropharynx begin with collection of cells with a cotton swab, cytobrush, or a mouth rinse [2], followed by the use of PCR-based assays or DNA in situ hybridization [3]. We chose to use a mouth rinse technique for sample collection as it is non-invasive, quick, and simple for the patient

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion