Human papillomavirus genome variants and head and neck cancers: a perspective

Abstract

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause infections that are responsible for diverse clinical manifestations from benign conditions to invasive cancer. As different HPV types are associated with variable pathogenic potential, minor genetic variations within a given high-risk HPV type might also be associated with distinct oncogenic capacities, through variable ability of persistence or risk of progression to precancer/cancer. Most recent HPV variant studies in the cervix using latest sequencing technology confirmed that minor changes in the HPV genome can have a major influence on carcinogenesis and have revealed key data that help better understand the carcinogenicity of HPV at a molecular level. Here we review the limited number of studies on HPV genome variants in head and neck cancers (HNC) and discuss their implications for cancer research in the light of accumulated knowledge for the cervix. Challenges in transposing HPV variant studies from the lower anogenital to the upper aerodigestive tract are also discussed, highlighting the main gaps of knowledge in the field of HPV-induced HNC. Specifically in the head and neck region, the lack of characterisation of precancerous lesions and the difficulty in sampling normal tissue will challenge the development of accurate studies. Although there is so far no indication that HPV variant research in HNC could directly translate into clinical application, such research is expected to be useful to disentangle unanswered questions in the pathogenesis of HNC. Yet, history of HPV variant research suggests that, to be successful, studies will require large international collaborative efforts.

Human papillomavirus as a driver of head and neck cancers

“…Following the most recent nomenclature, we can discriminate 16 sub-lineages: A1–A3 (historically classified as European), A4 (Asian), B1–B4 (African-1), C1–C4 (African-2), D1 (North American), D2 and D3 (Asian-American) and D4 (reviewed in 27 ). A recent review 28 summarises lineage-specific and non-lineage-specific HPV16 variants that are associated with HNSCC prevalently detected within E6 and L1 genes. NGS also facilitated the identification of variant lineages of HPV16 that co-infect cervices.…”

Positivity and prevalence of human papillomavirus among a large population of women in southeastern China

“…10 About 200 HPV subtypes have been identified and classified as high-risk (HR) or low-risk (LR), based on oncogenic risk. A total of 13 HR HPVs have been defined, of which12 (HPV16, 18,31,33,35,39,45,51,52, 56, 58, and 59) are known to be carcinogenic to humans and one (HPV68) is probably carcinogenic to humans. 14 These 13 HPV genotypes cause more than 96% of cervical cancers.…”

Prevalence of human papillomavirus type 16 in persistent oral lesions arising in patients with tobacco, areca nut, and alcohol habits

“…In addition, HPV16 DNA enhancers may cause activation of proto‐oncogenes, thereby, HPV16 integration may interfere with signaling networks functional in maintaining normal physiology of oral mucosa . Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of integration of HPV16 genome in OSCC with signaling networks, and the involvement of HPV genome variants in viral carcinogenesis in the oral cavity …”