HPV and Head and Neck Cancers: The Importance of Viral Strains on Clinical Characteristics, Prognosis, and Use as Biomarkers.: Review article
Keywords:
head and neck cancer, human papillomavirus, HPV16, oropharyngeal cancer, prognosis, biomarker, p16 staining, HPV ctDNA, HPV E6/E7 antibodiesAbstract
Head and neck cancers are common malignancies with high mortality rates. Currently, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been identified as a significant cause of these cancers, particularly in the oropharynx. This study aimed to review the relationship between HPV strains and the development of head and neck cancers, as well as the clinical characteristics, prognosis of HPV-associated cancers, and advancements in HPV detection techniques.
Studies have found that HPV16 is the most prevalent strain in head and neck cancers (90%), particularly in oropharyngeal cancer, followed by HPV18 (2.5-5%) and other high-risk HPV strains such as HPV31, 33, 35, and 45. Furthermore, there are differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cancers. HPV-positive cancers often occur in younger, non-smoking patients and exhibit early lymph node metastasis. However, they respond better to treatment and have higher survival rates compared to HPV-negative cancers. Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether different HPV strains have varying effects on prognosis.
Given the crucial role of HPV in head and neck cancers, detecting HPV in tumor tissues is highly beneficial for treatment planning and prognostication. Current techniques is p16 staining. Additionally, efforts are being made to develop blood-based HPV biomarker tests, such as circulating HPV DNA (ctDNA) or HPV E6/E7 antibodies, for non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring. However, further studies are required before these techniques can be implemented in clinical practice.
In summary, HPV plays a significant role in the development of head and neck cancers, particularly HPV16 in oropharyngeal cancer. Clinical characteristics and prognosis differ between HPV-positive and HPV-negative cancers. HPV detection in tumors is useful for treatment planning, and there is a trend towards developing blood-based HPV biomarker tests for disease monitoring in the future, which will enhance the effectiveness of patient care.
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