Biological evidence that human papillomaviruses are etiologically involved in a subgroup of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.1313
• Publication Date: 2002-10-28T13:56:28Z
• Authors: Viola M.M. van Ho...; Peter J.F. Snijders; Michiel W.M. van ...; J. Alain Kummer; Chris J.L.M. Meijer; Bart van Leeuwen; Fedor Denkers; Ludi E. Smeele; Gordon B. Snow; Ruud H. Brakenhoff
• Keywords: Papillomaviridae

High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been proposed to be associated with a subset of head and neck cancers (HNSCCs). However, clear biological evidence linking HPV-mediated oncogenesis the development HNSCC is hardly available. An important mechanism underlying carcinogenesis inactivation p53 by HPV E6 oncoprotein. In present study we investigated this relationship between HNSCC. total 84 tumors were analyzed for presence high-risk nucleic acids DNA polymerase chain reaction-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA) reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR as well mutations in gene. We found 20/84 HPV16 DNA-positive cases one or more assays, 10 which consistently positive all assays. Only 9/20 showed mRNA expression, indicative viral activity. these nine mRNA-positive lacked mutation, whereas both other HPV-DNA negative 36% 63% cases, respectively. Moreover, only lymph node metastases present. Our provides strong plausible etiological role subgroup Analysis expression RT-PCR alternatively, semiquantitative analyses load, seem reliable assays assess involvement than very sensitive PCR used routinely.