Human papillomavirus and Epstein–Barr virus in nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a low‐incidence population

Abstract

Background The significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) in nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPCs) in a low-incidence population remains unknown. Methods Samples from 90 patients with NPC (years, 1957–2012) were analyzed for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). Clinical data, EBV, HPV, and p16 status were correlated with overall survival (OS; 63 cases; years, 1981–2012). Results Of 9 HPV-positive cases, 3 extended from extra-nasopharyngeal sites. Nasopharyngeal origin was confirmed in 6 cases. HPV-positive NPC had OS similar to EBV-positive NPC (85 vs 141 months; p > .05). The OS of patients with EBV/HPV-negative NPC was worse (34 months; p = .004). Nonkeratinizing histology was associated with better outcome than keratinizing (115 vs 25 months; p = .001). Over the last several decades, the proportion of keratinizing NPC decreased from 34.5% to 14.3% (p = .026). Conclusion The etiologic role of HPV in NPC is confirmed. The favorable prognostic significance of HPV positivity is similar to that of EBV positivity.

Long-term patterns of relapse and survival following definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy for non-endemic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

“…Consistent with this trend, a recent report from the University of Pittsburgh identified a decrease in keratinizing histology from 35% to 14% over the past several decades. (23) While we did observe a relatively low rate of keratinization, it must be mentioned that we could not exclude the possibility of additional patients with keratinizing disease, as the presence or absence of keratinization could not be explicitly determined in 21% of our cohort. This subset of patients had inferior local and distant control rates compared to those with non-keratinizing disease, but did not have the patient characteristics typically associated with keratinizing disease such as an increased proportion of non-Asian ethnicity and significant smoking history.…”

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A review

“…In another study, 90 patients with tumor tissue from the NP were examined by p16 IHC and ISH (only nuclear signal considered positive) for HPV and EBV (EBER). 224 Of 9 HPV-positive cases, 3 extended from extranasopharyngeal sites. Thus, a nasopharyngeal origin was confirmed in 6 cases.…”

Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression, Microsatellite Instability, Epstein–Barr Virus, and Human Papillomavirus in Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas of Patients from the Philippines

“…EBER ISH was repeated on whole tissue sections for cases that were EBER negative on TMA sections. The three EBV-negative carcinomas were further tested for HPV by ISH as described previously [25].…”