Potential impact of human papilloma virus on survival of basaloid squamous carcinoma of the head and neck

Abstract

ObjectivesBasaloid-squamous-carcinomas (BSCC) have been considered as aggressive variants of common squamous-cell-carcinomas (HNSCC). Recent studies demonstrated a different clinical course depending on the tumour site. The aim of the study is to analyze the histopathologic/clinical features of BSCC/HNSCC resolved by the HPV-status.MethodsWe analysed the histopathologic/clinical features of BSCC (n=59) and HNSCC (n=981), subdivided due to the HPV status. Differences were analysed using Chi square, Fisher exact, and student's t-test. Survival rates were calculated by Kaplan–Meier and log-rank test. Prognostic variables were subsequently evaluated by Cox regression.ResultsOur cohort was congruent with the literature regarding sex, age, metastases, and a predilection in the oropharynx. HNSCC/BSCC did not show a different disease-specific-survival. After UICC matching, univariate analysis revealed a better survival of UICC stage IVa BSCC compared to HNSCC (69% vs. 42%, p=0.022) that was associated with a better response to radio-chemotherapy (p = 0.009). These results referred to the high prevalence of HPV+ (86%) oropharyngeal BSCC. Subgroup analysis demonstrated a better survival of HPV+ oropharyngeal BSCC than HPV-BSCC (p=0.017).ConclusionThe clinical outcome in BSCC depends on the tumour site and HPV-status. Prospective studies have to evaluate the beneficial application of postoperative radio-chemotherapy in HPV+ BSCC.

Human papilloma virus is not detectable in samples of urothelial bladder cancer in a central European population: a prospective translational study

“…For instance HPV could inactivate the p53 tumor suppressor gene years before tumors occur and may be undetectable at the later stages. However, HPV DNA is usually detectable in tumors where it is thought to play a role in oncogenesis [ 20 ]. Also the fact that we detected no HPV DNA in early and advanced tumor stages argue against a role of HPV in early carcinogenesis and subsequently disappearing virus.…”

Spheroid-based 3D Cell Cultures Enable Personalized Therapy Testing and Drug Discovery in Head and Neck Cancer

“…Moreover, ineffective radio-and chemotherapy comes at a high cost of significant patient morbidity without significant tumor regression. There have been implications for differences in response rates between HPV-negative and HPVassociated head and neck cancers; however, these indicators have not yet led to a change in therapy guidelines (14)(15)(16)(17). Recent ground-breaking studies have identified a large variety of inter-individual and intra-individual heterogeneity as a key reason for treatment resistance (18)(19)(20)(21).…”

Human papillomavirus-associated small cell carcinoma/neuroendocrine carcinoma of the oropharynx: a report of two cases

“…An oncogenic HPV status has been described in 14/19 (73.7 %) cases of oropharyngeal SCNEC (Watson et al 2013 ; Kraft et al 2012 ; Bishop and Westra 2011 ). HPV infection confers a better prognosis for patients with oropharyngeal SqCC and basaloid SqCC (Gillison et al 2000 ; Jacobi et al 2015 ). However, the prognosis of patients with SCNEC of the oropharynx is poor, as the majority of patients die of the disease mainly due to systemic metastasis (Renner 2007 ; Wang et al 2014 ).…”