Human Papillomavirus and the Development of Different Cancers

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are responsible for the development of almost all cervical cancers. HPV is also found in 85% of anal cancer and in 50% of penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancers, and they are increasingly found in a subset of head and neck cancers, i.e., oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC). The model for how HPV causes cancer is derived from several decades of study on cervical cancer, and it is just presumed that this model is not only completely valid for cervical cancer but for all other HPV-driven cancers as well. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has now provided the necessary tools to characterize genomic alterations in cancer cells and can precisely determine the physical status of HPV in those cells as well. We discuss recent discoveries from different applications of NGS in both cervical cancer and OPSCCs, including whole-genome sequencing and mate-pair NGS. We also discuss what NGS studies have revealed about the different ways that HPV can be involved in cancer formation, specifically comparing cervical cancer and OPSCC.

Definitive Radiotherapy for Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vagina: Are High-Dose External Beam Radiotherapy and High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy Boost the Best Treatment? Experience of Two Italian Institutes

“…The risk factors are represented by prior hysterectomy and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection [3][4][5]. The most common symptoms are discharge, bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse.…”

Distinguishing between HPV-Associated Metastatic Anal Squamous Cell Cancer and HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer

“…On the other hand, if the molecular profiles are different in the ASCC compared to the tongue and supraclavicular tumors, can one conclude that the tumors are clearly from separate tissues of origin? Gao and Smith reported that the molecular profile (using NGS) for "OPSCC appears distinct from cervical cancer" [6]. However, Koncar et al used immunohistochemistry and molecular profiling to study 743 p53 wild-type HPV-related cancers (including anal, OPSCC, cervical, and vulvar cancers) and concluded that "no gene had a statistically significant difference in mutation frequency or copy number between the four different types of squamous cell carcinoma.…”

Anal cancer in women: are we appropriately identifying the risks?

“…In response to a report by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation,1 Public Health England has initiated a pilot in which 42 genitourinary medicine and HIV clinics will provide the Gardasil vaccine to men who have sex with men (MSM). This pilot is supported by the evidence: MSM have a higher incidence of HPV than heterosexual men2 and the virus is linked to around 85% of anal cancers 3. Among the general population, however, it is also important to remember the burden of anal cancer among women.…”