OBJECTIVES: To review evidence for the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the etiology of oropharyngeal cancers, methods of viral detection, and the resulting clinical implications. STUDY DESIGN: Contemporary review. METHODS: Published journal articles identified through PubMed and conference proceedings were reviewed. RESULTS: HPV-associated squamous cell carcinomas represent a distinct disease entity from carcinogen-associated squamous cell carcinomas. HPV oncoproteins lead to mucosal cell transformation through well-defined mechanisms. Different methods of detecting HPV exist with variable levels of sensitivity and specificity for biologically active virus. Although virus is detected in a number of head and neck subsites, studies demonstrate improved outcomes in HPV-associated carcinoma of the oropharynx only. The cell cycle regulatory protein p16 is upregulated by biologically active HPV and serves as a biomarker of improved response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is a biologically distinct entity from carcinogen-associated carcinoma. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the improved outcomes in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma may lead to novel therapeutics for patients with carcinogen-associated carcinomas.
OBJECTIVES: To review evidence for the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the etiology of oropharyngeal cancers, methods of viral detection, and the resulting clinical implications. STUDY DESIGN: Contemporary review. METHODS: Published journal articles identified through PubMed and conference proceedings were reviewed. RESULTS:HPV-associated squamous cell carcinomas represent a distinct disease entity from carcinogen-associated squamous cell carcinomas. HPV oncoproteins lead to mucosal cell transformation through well-defined mechanisms. Different methods of detecting HPV exist with variable levels of sensitivity and specificity for biologically active virus. Although virus is detected in a number of head and neck subsites, studies demonstrate improved outcomes in HPV-associated carcinoma of the oropharynx only. The cell cycle regulatory protein p16 is upregulated by biologically active HPV and serves as a biomarker of improved response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS:HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx is a biologically distinct entity from carcinogen-associated carcinoma. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the improved outcomes in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma may lead to novel therapeutics for patients with carcinogen-associated carcinomas.
Authors: Alice L Tang; Samantha J Hauff; John H Owen; Martin P Graham; Michael J Czerwinski; Jung Je Park; Heather Walline; Silvana Papagerakis; Jay Stoerker; Jonathan B McHugh; Douglas B Chepeha; Carol R Bradford; Thomas E Carey; Mark E Prince Journal: Head Neck Date: 2011-12-13 Impact factor: 3.147
Authors: Markus Brunner; Oskar Koperek; Fritz Wrba; Boban M Erovic; Gregor Heiduschka; Christian Schoppper; Dietmar Thurnher Journal: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Date: 2011-12-30 Impact factor: 2.503
Authors: Arun Sharma; Eduardo Méndez; Bevan Yueh; Pawadee Lohavanichbutr; John Houck; David R Doody; Neal D Futran; Melissa P Upton; Stephen M Schwartz; Chu Chen Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2012-01-24 Impact factor: 3.497
Authors: Daniel G Deschler; Jeremy D Richmon; Samir S Khariwala; Robert L Ferris; Marilene B Wang Journal: Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2014-06-12 Impact factor: 3.497
Authors: Benjamin L Witt; Daniel J Albertson; Margaret G Coppin; Christian F Horrocks; Melissa Post; H Evin Gulbahce Journal: Head Neck Pathol Date: 2014-06-17