Abstract
BackgroundOral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and OPSCC) represent the majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important etiologic factor together with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Little is known on the prevalence of major herpesviruses [EBV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HHV-6, − 7 and − 8] in HNSCCs.MethodsFifty-one formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples taken at surgery (40 oropharyngeal, 11 oral) were analyzed for 40 HPV genotypes (20 high-risk types), EBV, CMV, HHV-6, − 7 and − 8 by quantitative PCR. Expression of the HPV-induced p16INK4A protein was also investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC).ResultsIn SCC, the prevalence of EBV was significantly higher compared to that of HPV (EBV 51% vs. HPV 19.5%; P = 0.005). HPV infection was found in 25% of OPSCC and in none of the OSCC; conversely, higher prevalence of EBV was found in OSCC (72.7%). HPV and EBV co-infection was detected only in 4 (10%) OPSCC. CMV was detected in only two cases, whereas HHV-6, − 7 and − 8 resulted negative. The prevalence of HPV but no EBV was associated with the non-keratinizing SCC type (NKSCC) compared to the keratinizing SCC type (KSCC)(HPV-DNA P < 0.005; EBV = 0.054).ConclusionsSingle HPV or EBV positivity was higher in OSCC than in OPSCC. Other potentially oncogenic herpesvirus types were minimally or not represented.
Highlights
Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and OPSCC) represent the majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC)
HNSCC comprise a large group of tumors classified as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC)
All cases resulted negative for Human papillomavirus (HPV) and potentially oncogenic herpesviruses (HHVs)-6, − 7 and − 8
Summary
Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and OPSCC) represent the majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important etiologic factor together with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Little is known on the prevalence of major herpesviruses [EBV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HHV-6, − 7 and − 8] in HNSCCs. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) account for approximately 5% of all cancers and are a serious public health problem worldwide [1]. HNSCC comprise a large group of tumors classified as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Broccolo et al Infectious Agents and Cancer (2018) 13:32 and the squamous epithelium of the head and neck region, as well as on the detection of most common oncogenic HPV genotypes in both cervical cancer and HNSCC [8]. Limited data are available for Italy regarding HPV detection in HNSCCs, with prevalence ranging from 10 to 46% [11, 12]
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