To study HPV and EBV in squamous cell carcinoma of upper aerodigestive tract by immunohistochemistry markers

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) is one of the predominant causes of mortality and morbidity in a developing nation like India. The major risk factors being tobacco usage and alcohol. Besides these there are certain viruses like high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and Epstein Bar Virus (EBV). Which have a potential role in the etiology of SCC. More over these HPV positive tumors have better prognosis compared to HPV negative ones due their radiosensitivity. There are several methods employed in identification of these viruses of which IHC is cost effective, reliable with high sensitivity and specificity.In the present study, we identified 30 cases of SCC in UADT sent to Pathology department. Expression of p16 for HPV and LMP1 for EBV was performed on the tissue blocks manually.p16 was positive in around 17% (5/30 cases) whereas LMP1 showed 0% (0/30 cases) positivity. Majority of patients with p16 positivity in SCC of UADT are in the older age (above 50 years), showed moderately differentiated (Grade II) SCC, had nodal metastasis at the time of presentation. Some studies showed the association of HPV of SCC in UADT in younger population have better prognosis compared to HPV negative ones. In the current study HPV was identified (17%) in older population (above 55 years) and none of the cases showed positivity for LMP1(EBV).