Impact of human papillomavirus on head and neck squamous cell cancers in Gabon

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell cancers are among the most aggressive. Their incidence and mortality rates are relatively lower in Middle Africa than worldwide, but in Gabon, these rates tend to be 2–3 fold higher than in neighboring countries. The main risk factors are alcohol and tobacco consumption. However, in the last decades, there was cumulated evidence that human papillomaviruses were a significant risk factor, particularly for oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer. In Gabon, as elsewhere in Africa, assessment of these 3 risk factors need to be improved to determine their respective role in the development of head and neck squamous cell cancers. The potential differences in alcohol/tobacco consumption habits as well as in infectious ecology between developing and developed countries can make it difficult to transpose current data on this issue. Determining the respective role of alcohol/tobacco consumption and human papillomaviruses in the development of head and neck squamous cell cancers is crucial for the management of these cancers that could become a serious public health issue in Gabon. Human papillomaviruses are not only a risk factor but also a biomarker with promising clinical potential for the follow-up of head and neck squamous cell cancers potentially able to select an adequate treatment. Then, assessing the epidemiological impact of human papillomaviruses in Gabon and in all of Africa would prove useful for the clinical follow-up of head and neck squamous cell cancers, and would also provide essential data to plan a global prevention strategy against head and neck squamous cell cancers due to human papillomaviruses.

Challenges of Human Papillomavirus Infection and Associated Diseases in Low-Resource Countries

“…42 The low prevalence of high-risk HPV types in this study was associated with the uncommon practice of oral sex among the men studied in these regions. 42 Head and neck cancers in Nigeria show a peak incidence in the fourth decade of life with a male predominance and a younger age of onset than in white individuals. [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53] The explanation for this finding might be rooted in genetic, behavioral, and socioeconomic risk factors.…”

“…36 In South Africa, a pilot study showed a low prevalence rate (5.6%) of oral and oropharyngeal high-risk HPV (types 18 and 68) when compared to worldwide rates. 42 The prevalence of the high-risk HPV types was found to be positively associated with the number of oral sexual partners. 42 The low prevalence of high-risk HPV types in this study was associated with the uncommon practice of oral sex among the men studied in these regions.…”

“…42 The prevalence of the high-risk HPV types was found to be positively associated with the number of oral sexual partners. 42 The low prevalence of high-risk HPV types in this study was associated with the uncommon practice of oral sex among the men studied in these regions. 42 Head and neck cancers in Nigeria show a peak incidence in the fourth decade of life with a male predominance and a younger age of onset than in white individuals.…”

Erratum to: Impact of human papillomavirus on head and neck squamous cell cancers in Gabon

“…After publication of this article [ 1 ], the authors noticed their names had been incorrectly reverted. The authors’ names were therefore incorrectly presented as: Labouba Ingrid, Bertolus Chloé, Koumakpayi Ismail Hervé, Belembaogo Ernest, Miloundja Jérôme and Berthet Nicolas.…”

“…The correct presentations of the authors’ names are included in the author list of this erratum and have also been updated in the original article [ 1 ].…”