Human papillomavirus is a favourable prognostic factor in tonsillar cancer and its oncogenic role is supported by the expression of E6 and E7

Multiparameter imaging reveals clinically relevant cancer cell-stroma interaction dynamics in head and neck cancer

Epithelial tumors are characterized by abundant inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity, which complicates diagnostics and treatment. The contribution of cancer-stroma interactions to this heterogeneity is poorly understood. Here, we report a paradigm to quantify phenotypic diversity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with single-cell resolution. By combining cell-state markers with morphological features, we identify phenotypic signatures that correlate with clinical features, including metastasis and recurrence. Integration of tumor and stromal signatures reveals that partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (pEMT) renders disease outcome highly sensitive to stromal composition, generating a strong prognostic and predictive signature. Spatial transcriptomics and subsequent analyses of cancer spheroid dynamics identify the cancer-associated fibroblast-pEMT axis as a nexus for intercompartmental signaling that reprograms pEMT cells into an invasive phenotype. Taken together, we establish a paradigm to identify clinically relevant tumor phenotypes and discover a cell-state-dependent interplay between stromal and epithelial compartments that drives cancer aggression.

Human Papillomaviruses 16 and 18 E6 Oncoprotein Detection Test in Primary Oropharyngeal Carcinomas and Metastatic Lymph Nodes: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

Accuracy in the diagnosis of HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPSCC) of a rapid, low-cost lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for detecting E6 oncoprotein of HPV-16 and HPV-18 was previously evaluated in a small pilot study. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess on a large case series the sensitivity and specificity of E6 oncoprotein as a diagnostic marker for HPV-associated carcinogenesis in OPSCC.

METHODS

137 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed OPSCC were enrolled in two hospitals in Northeast Italy. HPV status was determined by PCR for HPV DNA and p16INK4a immunohistochemistry on primary tumor biopsies. An OPSCC was defined as HPV-associated when double positive for high-risk HPV-DNA and p16INK4a overexpression in primary lesion. Cytological samples from primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes were obtained and tested for HPV16/18 E6 oncoproteins using the lateral flow immunochromatographic assay, which requires between 90 and 120 min to provide a result. Diagnostic performances were calculated as percentage with confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Of the 137 OPSCC cases, 68 (49.6%) were HPV-associated, testing positive for both high-risk HPV-DNA and p16INK4a, with HPV16 predominating (82.4%). An average waiting time of 22 days was observed to obtain the results of p16INK4a and HPV-DNA after primary lesions biopsy. In patients with HPV16/18-associated OPSCC, the HPV16/18 E6 oncoprotein was detected in 59 out of 60 cytological samples from the primary lesion (sensitivity: 98.3%; 95% CI: 91.1-100%) and in 45 out of 51 cytological samples from lymph node metastases (sensitivity: 88.2%; 95% CI: 76.1-95.6%). The E6 oncoprotein assay showed a specificity of 100% in both primary tumors and lymph node metastases.

CONCLUSION

The low-cost lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for detecting HPV16/18 E6 oncoproteins confirmed high accuracy for identifying HPV-associated OPSCC, particularly in primary tumors, suggesting its potential as a valuable diagnostic tool in clinical practice. Its rapid diagnostic capability could significantly accelerate the process of treatment decision-making, enhancing the timely management of patients.

Exploring gene regulatory interaction networks and predicting therapeutic molecules for hypopharyngeal cancer and EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma

Hypopharyngeal cancer is a disease that is associated with EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma. Here we utilized a bioinformatics approach to identify genetic commonalities between these two diseases. To this end, we examined microarray datasets from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) to identify differentially expressed genes, common genes, and hub genes between the selected two diseases. Our analyses identified potential therapeutic molecules for the selected diseases based on 10 hub genes with the highest interactions according to the degree topology method and the maximum clique centrality (MCC). These therapeutic molecules may have the potential for simultaneous treatment of these diseases.

p16 Expression in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Surrogate or Independent Prognostic Marker?

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a common malignancy that, despite scientific advancements, has not seen an improvement in its prognosis in the last decades. Few promising predictive markers have been found and none are relevant in clinical practice. p16ink4a, an oncosuppressor protein involved in cell cycle arrest, with a prognostic impact on other cancers, has been widely used in the head and neck region as a surrogate marker of HPV infection. Published papers and recent meta-analyses seem to minimize the biological role of HPV in the context of LSCC's cancerogenesis, and to disprove the reliability of p16ink4a as a surrogate prognostic marker in this context, while still highlighting its potential role as an independent predictor of survival. Unfortunately, the available literature, in particular during the last two decades, is often not focused on its potential role as an independent biomarker and few relevant data are found in papers mainly focused on HPV. The available data suggest that future research should focus specifically on p16ink4a, taking into account both its potential inactivation and overexpression, different patterns of staining, and immunohistochemistry cutoffs, and should focus not on its potential role as a surrogate marker but on its independent role as a predictor of survival.

The Effects of Gross Cranial Nerve Invasion on Oncologic Outcomes in Patients with HPV(+)OPSCC

OBJECTIVES

This study examines oncologic outcomes in patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV(+)OPSCC) who had evidence of gross cranial nerve invasion (CNI) identified at the time of surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study comparing demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of HPV(+)OPSCC patients with and without gross CNI.

METHODS

Patients with biopsy proven HPV(+)OPSCC involving the base of tongue, tonsil, or unknown primary site, who underwent surgery as a part of their treatment between 1/1/2006-12/31/2020 (n = 874), were included in this study. Gross CNI was identified during operative intervention (n = 36). Statistical analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4 and R version 3.6.2. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

HPV(+)OPSCC patients with gross CNI were nearly 5 times as likely to suffer death by cancer (HR = 5.41, 95% CI 2.51 to 11.67, p < 0.0001), over 4 times as likely to see disease progression (HR = 4.25, 95% CI 2.31 to 7.84, p < 0.0001), and nearly 5 times as likely to experience metastasis (HR = 4.46, 95% CI 2.20 to 9.06, p < 0.0001) when compared to patients without CNI. Patients with gross CNI had significantly lower overall survival, cancer-specific survival, progression-free survival, and distant-metastasis free survival (p < 0.0001). Patients with gross CNI were significantly more likely to present with higher clinical N stage, higher pathological N stage and extracapsular spread than patients without gross CNI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the presence of CNI is associated with significantly poorer oncologic outcomes in HPV(+)OPSCC patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:170-177, 2024.

Evaluation of Prognostic Parameters to Identify Aggressive Penile Carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Advanced penile carcinoma is characterized by poor prognosis. Most data on prognostic factors are based on small study cohorts, and even meta-analyses are limited in patient numbers. Therefore, there is still a lack of evidence for clinical decisions. In addition, the most recent TNM classification is questionable; in line with previous studies, we found that it has not improved prognosis estimation.

METHODS

We evaluated 297 patients from Germany, Russia, and Portugal. Tissue samples from 233 patients were re-analyzed by two experienced pathologists. HPV status, p16, and histopathological parameters were evaluated for all patients.

RESULTS

Advanced lymph node metastases (N2, N3) were highly significantly associated with reductions in metastasis-free (MFS), cancer-specific (CS), and overall survival (OS) rates (p = <0.001), while lymphovascular invasion was a significant parameter for reduced CS and OS (p = 0.005; p = 0.007). Concerning the primary tumor stage, a significant difference in MFS was found only between pT1b and pT1a (p = 0.017), whereas CS and OS did not significantly differ between T categories. In patients without lymph node metastasis at the time of primary diagnosis, lymphovascular invasion was a significant prognostic parameter for lower MFS (p = 0.032). Histological subtypes differed in prognosis, with the worst outcome in basaloid carcinomas, but without statistical significance. HPV status was not associated with prognosis, either in the total cohort or in the usual type alone.

CONCLUSION

Lymphatic involvement has the highest impact on prognosis in penile cancer, whereas HPV status alone is not suitable as a prognostic parameter. The pT1b stage, which includes grading, as well as lymphovascular and perineural invasion in the T stage, seems questionable; a revision of the TNM classification is therefore required.

[Importance of HPV status and p16 for the prognosis of penile carcinoma]

BACKGROUND

Penile cancer is a rare but often lethal tumour disease, especially in the metastatic stage. Most data on prognostic factors for penile cancer are based on small patient cohorts, and even meta-analyses are mostly limited in terms of patient numbers. There is a lack of sufficient parameters to predict the metastatic risk of these tumours. Furthermore, the role of the HPV status for the prognosis, and, in this regard, of p16INK4a is still unclear.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, 236 patients from an international multicentre cohort were analysed with regard to histological subtypes, HPV and p16 status, and other clinical parameters. The HPV status was only graded as HPV-positive if HPV was detected by PCR and the p16 status defined by immunochemistry was positive. The statistical analysis was carried out using the Kaplan-Meier method as well as the log-rank test and a univariable and multivariable analysis using the Cox regression model.

RESULTS

A positive HPV status was not a significant parameter for either metastasis-free (MFS), tumour-specific (CSS) or overall survival (OS). p16-positive tumours showed a significantly better MFS (p=0.026), which was also confirmed in the subgroup analysis of HPV-negative tumours (p=0.037) without differences in CSS or OS. In the usual type, there was also a trend towards an improved MFS, but without statistical significance (p=0.070). p16-positive tumours were associated with a highly significantly better MFS (hazard ratio 0.3; p=0.004) in the multivariable Cox regression, while patients with a pT1b tumour stage or advanced lymph node metastasis showed a significantly worse survival. In the multivariable analysis of HPV-negative tumours, p16 status was also confirmed as an independent predictor of MFS (Hazard ratio 0.2; p=0.007).

CONCLUSION

HPV status alone seems to be lacking prognostic relevance. In contrast, p16 status was confirmed as an independent prognostic factor. Thus, the expression of p16INK4a is associated with a significantly better MFS. Especially in HPV-negative tumours, the p16 status should be evaluated with regard to the prognostic value and thus also with a view to the treatment decision.

John M. Anticancer effects of thymoquinone in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A scoping review

Objective

Thymoquinone (TQ), the active constituent of Nigella sativa, has been shown to have anticancer effects in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This review aims to outline the properties of TQ, the known drivers in HNSCC formation, and summarize the anticancer effects of TQ in SCC.

Data Sources

Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar) were queried for the key words "thymoquinone squamous cell carcinoma."

Review Methods

Publications that were not original research and publications that did not have full-text available for review were excluded.

Results

Sixteen research articles met the inclusion criteria. Our review demonstrates that TQ-induced cytotoxicity is associated with increased expression and activity of the tumor suppressor p53, proapoptotic proteins Bax and caspases, as well as decreased expression and activity of antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mdm2. Additionally, TQ modulates cell-survival pathways such as the PI3k/Akt pathway. TQ synergizes with therapeutics including cisplatin and radiation. Early TQ administration may prevent carcinogenesis via upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, and TQ administration in the presence of cancer can result in disease mitigation via induction of oxidative stress.

Conclusion

TQ acts as an upregulator of proapoptotic pathways and downregulator of antiapoptotic pathways, modulates the oxidative stress balance in tumor development, and works synergistically alongside other chemotherapeutics to increase cytotoxicity. TQ has the potential to prevent carcinogenesis in patients who are at high-risk for SCC and adjuvant treatment for SCC patients undergoing conventional treatments. Future studies should aim to identify specific populations in which TQ's effects would be the most beneficial.

Level of Evidence

Not available.

Methylation of Immune Gene Promoters in Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer

The proportion of oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) that can be attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is growing nowadays. A potential factor indicating the occurrence of HPV-positive OSCC is a change in the degree of methylation of gene promoters that play a key role in the immune response. In this study, we investigated the difference in the methylation of EDARADD, GBP4, HAVCR2, HLA DPB1, IL12RB1, MARCO, and SIGLEC12 gene promoters in samples of healthy oral mucosa versus samples of oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The presence of HPV infection in samples was examined earlier. To determine the difference in methylation of those gene promotors, isolated and bisulfite-modified DNA was analysed by the methylation-specific PCR method. The investigated gene promoters were found to be more hypomethylated in the oral and oropharyngeal cancer samples in comparison to normal tissue. The proportion of unmethylated gene promoters was similar in HPV-positive and HPV-negative cancers, although the data should be confirmed on a larger set of samples. To conclude, in samples of healthy oral mucosa, the investigated gene promoters were found to be methylated in a high percentage (73.3% to 100%), while in oral and oropharyngeal cancer samples, they were methylated in a low percentage (11.1% to 37%), regardless of HPV infection.

Facility volume and survival: Human papilloma virus positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To analyze the impact of facility volume on survival for human papilloma virus positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) patients.

METHODS

Patients treated for HPV+ OPSCC from 2010 to 2017 were queried from the National Cancer Database. Facilities of average annual case volume <50th percentile were categorized as low-volume (LV) and >95th percentile as high-volume (HV).

RESULTS

11,546 were included, with 10,305 patients (89.3 %) treated at LV and 1241 (10.7 %) at HV facilities. A greater proportion of cases involving resection of base of tongue and lingual tonsil were treated at HV (30.3 %) compared to LV (22.3 %) facilities (p < 0.001). Patients treated at a HV facility had greater percentage of clinical T4 (11.2 % vs. 8.6 %, p = 0.001) and N+ disease (90.5 % vs. 85.7 %, p < 0.001) patients. Survival analysis showed no statistically significant difference between five-year overall survival rates by facility volume (p = 0.388) for all patients. On multivariable analysis, facility volume was not associated with survival (HR: 0.968 [0.758-1.235], p = 0.791). These trends were found for both patients undergoing primary surgery or chemoradiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicates that patients with HPV+ OPSCC do not experience a survival benefit with treatment at HV facility, suggesting these patients may be adequately treated at LV centers.

Accuracy of p16 IHC in Classifying HPV-Driven OPSCC in Different Populations

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a defined etiopathogenetic factor in oropharyngeal carcinogenesis with a clear prognostic value. The P16 IHC (immunohistochemistry) is a widely accepted marker for HPV-driven carcinogenesis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC); in the present paper, we discuss its reliability as a standalone marker in different populations. The literature suggests that rates of p16 IHC false positive results are inversely correlated with the prevalence of HPV-driven carcinogenesis in a population. We propose a formula that can calculate such a false positive rate while knowing the real prevalence of HPV-driven OPSCCs in a given population. As it has been demonstrated that p16 positive/HPV negative cases (i.e., false positives at p16 IHC) have the same prognosis as p16 negative OPSCC, we conclude that despite the valuable prognostic value of p16 IHC, relying only on a p16 IHC positive result to recommend treatment de-intensification could be risky. For this aim, confirmation with an HPV nucleic acid detection system, especially in areas with a low prevalence of HPV-related OPSCCs, should be pursued.

Targeted Therapy with PI3K, PARP, and WEE1 Inhibitors and Radiotherapy in HPV Positive and Negative Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Reveals Synergy while Effects with APR-246 Are Limited

Human papillomavirus positive (HPV⁺) tonsillar and base of tongue cancer (TSCC/BOTSCC) is rising in incidence, but chemoradiotherapy is not curative for all. Therefore, targeted therapy with PI3K (BYL719), PARP (BMN-673), and WEE1 (MK-1775) inhibitors alone or combined was pursued with or without 10 Gy and their effects were analyzed by viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays on the TSCC/BOTSCC cell lines HPV⁺ UPCI-SCC-154 and HPV^- UT-SCC-60A. Effective single drug/10 Gy combinations were validated on additional TSCC lines. Finally, APR-246 was assessed on several TSCC/BOTSCC cell lines. BYL719, BMN-673, and MK-1775 treatments induced dose dependent responses in HPV⁺ UPCI-SCC-154 and HPV^- UT-SCC-60A and when combined with 10 Gy, synergistic effects were disclosed, as was also the case upon validation. Using BYL719/BMN-673, BYL719/MK-1775, or BMN-673/MK-1775 combinations on HPV⁺ UPCI-SCC-154 and HPV^- UT-SCC-60A also induced synergy compared to single drug administrations, but adding 10 Gy to these synergistic drug combinations had no further major effects. Low APR-246 concentrations had limited usefulness. To conclude, synergistic effects were disclosed when complementing single BYL719 BMN-673 and MK-1775 administrations with 10 Gy or when combining the inhibitors, while adding 10 Gy to the latter did not further enhance their already additive/synergistic effects. APR-246 was suboptimal in the present context.

Targeted Therapy of HPV Positive and Negative Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Reveals Synergy between CDK4/6, PI3K and Sometimes FGFR Inhibitors, but Rarely between PARP and WEE1 Inhibitors

Human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) have a favorable outcome, but upon relapse, survival is poor and new therapeutical options are needed. Recently, we found synergistic effects by combining the food and drug administration approved (FDA) phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and fibroblast-growth-factor-receptor (FGFR) inhibitors BYL719 and JNJ-42756493 on TSCC cell lines. Here this approach was extended and Cyclin-Dependent-Kinase-4/6 (CDK4/6) and Poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) and WEE1 inhibitors PD-0332991, and MK-1775 respectively were also examined. HPV+ CU-OP-2, -3, -20, and HPV- CU-OP-17 TSCC cell lines were treated with either BYL719 and JNJ-42756493, PD-0332991 BMN-673 and MK-1775 alone or in different combinations. Viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were followed by WST-1 assays and the IncuCyte S3 Live® Cell Analysis System. All inhibitors presented dose-dependent inhibitory effects on tested TSCC lines. Synergy was frequently obtained when combining CDK4/6 with PI3K inhibitors, but only sometimes or rarely when combining CDK4/6 with FGFR inhibitors or PARP with WEE1 inhibitors. To conclude, using CDK4/6 with PI3K or FGFR inhibitors, especially PD-0332991 with BYL719 presented synergy and enhanced the decrease of viability considerably, while although dose dependent responses were obtained with PARP and WEE1 inhibitors (BMN-673 and MK-1775 resp.), synergy was rarely disclosed.

Analysis of Selected Nutritional Parameters in Patients with HPV-Related and Non-HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer before and after Radiotherapy Alone or Combined with Chemotherapy

Background: Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC). The aim of this study was to assess and compare the nutritional status (NS) of patients with HPV-related (HPV+) and non-HPV-related (HPV-) OPC before and after radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods: The analysis included 127 patients with OPC who underwent radiotherapy (RT) alone, or in combination with chemotherapy (CRT), in the I Radiation and Clinical Oncology Department of Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch, Poland. Patients were divided according to HPV status. Confirmation of HPV etiology was obtained from FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) tissue material and/or extracellular circulating HPV DNA. Basic anthropometric and biochemical parameters before and after RT/CRT were compared between the HPV- and HPV+ groups. The effect of NS on survival was also analyzed. Results: In both groups, a significant decrease in all analyzed nutritional parameters was noted after RT/CRT (p < 0.01). CRT caused significant weight loss and decreases in BMI, albumin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), and hemoglobin concentration, as well as an increase in the Nutritional Risk Score (NRS) 2002, in HPV- and HPV+ patients. A significant decrease in prealbumin levels after CRT was noted only in HPV+ patients. RT caused a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration and TLC in HPV- patients. There were no significant differences regarding other nutritional parameters after RT in either group. RT did not have negative impact on body mass index (BMI), weight, NRS, CRP, Alb, Prealb, or PNI. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were significantly better in patients with a higher BMI in the HPV- group (OS, p = 0.011; DFS, p = 0.028); DFS was significantly better in patients with C-reactive protein (CRP) < 3.5 g/dL in the HPV- (p = 0.021) and HPV+ (p = 0.018) groups, and with total lymphocyte count (TLC) >1.28/mm3 in the HPV+ group (p = 0.014). Higher NRS 2002 was an independent adverse prognostic factor for OS and DFS in HPV-, but not in the HPV+ group. Kaplan−Meier analysis showed that both OS and DFS were significantly better in HPV- patients with lower NRS 2002 scores. However, this relationship was not observed in the HPV+ group. Conclusions: Regardless of HPV status, patients with OPC can develop malnutrition during RT/CRT. Therefore, nutritional support during RT/CRT is required in patients with HPV- and HPV+ OPC.

An Update on the Immunotherapy for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is an uncommon malignancy worldwide. Remarkably, the rising incidence of OPSCC has been observed in many developed countries over the past few decades. On top of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has become a major etiologic factor for OPSCC. The radiotherapy-based or surgery-based systemic therapies are recommended equally as first-line treatment, while chemotherapy-based strategy is applied to advanced diseases. Immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is currently under the spotlight, especially for patients with advanced diseases. Numerous researches on programmed death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 checkpoint inhibitors have proven beneficial to patients with metastatic HNSCC. In 2016, nivolumab and pembrolizumab were approved as the second-line treatment for advanced metastatic HNSCC by the USA Food and Drug Administration. Soon after, in 2019, the USA Food and Drug Administration approved pembrolizumab as the first-line treatment for patients with unresectable, recurrent, and metastatic HNSCC. It has been reported that HPV-positive HNSCC patients were associated with increased programmed death-ligand 1 expression; however, whether HPV status indicates different treatment outcomes among HNSCC patients treated with immunotherapy has contradicted. Notably, HPV-positive OPSCC exhibits a significantly better clinical response to primary treatment (i.e., radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy) and a more desirable prognosis compared to the HPV-negative OPSCC. This review summarizes the current publications on immunotherapy in HNSCC/OPSCC patients and discusses the impact of HPV infection in immunotherapeutic efficacy, providing an update on the immune landscape and future perspectives in OPSCC.

The dynamic interactome of microRNAs and the human papillomavirus in head and neck cancers

The Human Papillomavirus type 16 is a major etiologic factor for a subset of Head and Neck cancers. These cancers of the oropharyngeal region are growing, and it is expected to exceed cervical cancers in the near future. The major oncogenes E6 and E7 mediate many of the early transformation stages targeting p53 and other tumour suppressor genes. The majority of this regulation is centred on protein coding genes but more recently small non-coding RNAs, such as miRNAs are also regulated by HPV16. However, the system-wide impact of HPV16 on miRNAs is yet to be fully understood. To fully gauge the overall relationship between HPV16 and miRNAs, several studies have devised dynamic interactomes which encompass viral oncogenes, miRNAs and gene targets. These interactomes map potential pathways which permit the identification of possible mechanistic links. Our review will discuss the latest developments in using viral interactomes to understand viral mechanisms and how these approaches may aid in the elucidation of potential druggable pathways.

The Prevalence of High- and Low-Risk Types of HPV in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck, Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis, and Healthy Individuals Living in Poland

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus with the potential to infect human epithelial cells and an etiological agent of many types of cancer, including head and neck cancer. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), patients with chronic tonsillitis, and healthy individuals, and to establish high- and low-risk HPV genotypes in these groups. The objectives also comprised the delineation of the relationship between the infection with high- or low-risk HPV subtypes and clinicopathological and demographic characteristics of the study groups. This study was composed of 76 patients diagnosed with HNSCC, 71 patients with chronic tonsillitis, and 168 cases without either of these conditions (the control group). HPV detection and identification of subtypes were performed on isolated DNA using a test which allowed detection of 33 common high-risk and low-risk HPV subtypes. The prevalence of HPV infection was 42.1%, 25.4%, and 37.5% in HNSCC, chronic tonsillitis, and control groups, respectively. HPV 16 was the most prevalent genotype in all groups and the non-oncogenic HPV 43/44 was frequent in HNSCC patients. This analysis provides insight into the prevalence of oral oncogenic and non-oncogenic HPVs in patients with head and neck cancer, patients with chronic tonsillitis and healthy individuals, and leads to the conclusion that further investigations are warranted to examine a larger cohort of patients focusing on high- and low-risk HPV genotypes. Efforts should be focused on screening and prevention strategies, and therefore, it is important to introduce tools for effective detection of HPV genotypes. Furthermore, given the role of vaccines against oral HPV infection, our observations lead to the suggestion that HPV vaccination should be of considerable importance in public health strategies.

Comparison of Selected Immune and Hematological Parameters and Their Impact on Survival in Patients with HPV-Related and HPV-Unrelated Oropharyngeal Cancer

Simple Summary

This is a research article on oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). The aim of the study was to assess and compare basic immune parameters and ratios in patients with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)+ and HPV− OPC, before and after radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and to investigate their impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune inflammation (SII) are significant adverse prognostic factors for HPV+ OPC patients, because they are significantly associated with both inferior OS and DFS in this group, whereas the higher platelet cells (PLT) count is significant adverse prognostic factor for HPV− OPC patients, because it is significantly associated with inferior OS and DFS in this group. This study confirmed that determination of HPV etiology as well as analysis of various hematological and immune parameters should be a standard management in OPC patients in order to properly treat them for improved prognosis.

Abstract

Several immune and hematological parameters are associated with survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). The aim of the study was to analyze selected immune and hematological parameters of patients with HPV-related (HPV+) and HPV-unrelated (HPV−) OPC, before and after radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy (RT/CRT) and to assess the impact of these parameters on survival. One hundred twenty seven patients with HPV+ and HPV− OPC, treated with RT alone or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), were included. Patients were divided according to HPV status. Confirmation of HPV etiology was obtained from FFPE (Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded) tissue samples and/or extracellular circulating HPV DNA was determined. The pre-treatment and post-treatment laboratory blood parameters were compared in both groups. The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune inflammation (SII) index were calculated. The impact of these parameters on overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival was analyzed. In HPV+ patients, a high pre-treatment white blood cells (WBC) count (>8.33 /mm³), NLR (>2.13), SII (>448.60) significantly correlated with reduced OS, whereas high NLR (>2.29), SII (>462.58) significantly correlated with reduced DFS. A higher pre-treatment NLR and SII were significant poor prognostic factors for both OS and DFS in the HPV+ group. These associations were not apparent in HPV− patients. There are different pre-treatment and post-treatment immune and hematological prognostic factors for OS and DFS in HPV+ and HPV− patients. The immune ratios could be considered valuable biomarkers for risk stratification and differentiation for HPV− and HPV+ OPC patients.

Prognostic Markers and Driver Genes and Options for Targeted Therapy in Human-Papillomavirus-Positive Tonsillar and Base-of-Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The incidence of Human-papillomavirus-positive (HPV⁺) tonsillar and base-of-tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC and BOTSCC, respectively) is increasing epidemically, but they have better prognosis than equivalent HPV-negative (HPV⁻) cancers, with roughly 80% vs. 50% 3-year disease-free survival, respectively. The majority of HPV⁺ TSCC and BOTSCC patients therefore most likely do not require the intensified chemoradiotherapy given today to head and neck cancer patients and would with de-escalated therapy avoid several severe side effects. Moreover, for those with poor prognosis, survival has not improved, so better-tailored alternatives are urgently needed. In line with refined personalized medicine, recent studies have focused on identifying predictive markers and driver cancer genes useful for better stratifying patient treatment as well as for targeted therapy. This review presents some of these endeavors and briefly describes some recent experimental progress and some clinical trials with targeted therapy.

Targeted Therapy With PI3K and FGFR Inhibitors on Human Papillomavirus Positive and Negative Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer Lines With and Without Corresponding Mutations

Objectives

Human papillomavirus positive (HPV⁺) tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC), the major subsites of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) have favorable outcome, but upon relapse, outcome is poor and new therapies needed. Since, phosphatidyl-inositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) and fibroblast-growth-factor-receptor-3 (FGFR3) mutations often occur in such tumors, here, we tested targeted therapy directed to such genes in TSCC/BOTSCC cell lines. We also combined the two types of inhibitors with each other, and cisplatin or docetaxel that are used clinically.

Methods

The HPV⁺ CU-OP-2, -3, -20, UPCI-SCC-154, and HPV^- CU-OP-17 and UT-SCC-60A cell lines were first tested for common PIK3CA/FGFR3 mutations by competitive-allele-specific TaqMan-PCR. They were then treated with the food and drug administration (FDA) approved drugs, alpelisib (BYL719) and erdafitinib (JNJ-42756493) alone and in combination with cisplatin or docetaxel. Viability, proliferation, apoptosis and cytotoxicity responses were thereafter followed by WST-1 assays and the IncuCyte S3 Live^® Cell Analysis System.

Results

HPV⁺ CU-OP-2 had a pS249C-FGFR3, and like CU-OP-20, a pE545K-PIK3CA mutation, while no other lines had such mutations. Irrespectively, dose dependent responses to all PI3K/FGFR inhibitors were obtained, and upon combining the inhibitors, positive effects were observed. Cisplatin and docetaxel also induced dose dependent responses, and upon combination with the inhibitors, both positive and neutral effects were found.

Conclusions

The data suggest that FDA approved drugs alpelisib and erdafitinib efficiently inhibit TSCC/BOTSCC cell line growth, especially when combined irrespective of presence of corresponding mutations and should be further explored, for use upon recurrent disease.

Ptaquiloside from bracken (Pteridium spp.) promotes oral carcinogenesis initiated by HPV16 in transgenic mice

Bracken (Pteridium spp.) is a common weed that is consumed as food especially in Asia, and is suspected of promoting carcinogenesis induced by papillomaviruses in the digestive and urinary systems. This is particularly worrying because the incidence of head-and-neck cancers associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is rapidly increasing, and HPV co-carcinogens urgently need to be identified. This study tested the hypothesis that two bracken compounds, ptaquiloside and rutin, are able to promote head-and-neck and bladder carcinogenesis in HPV16-transgenic mice. Expression of HPV16 E6 and E7 in oral and bladder tissues was confirmed using quantitative real-time PCR. Mice were exposed orally to ptaquiloside (0.5 mg per animal per week for 10 weeks from 20 weeks-old) or rutin (413 mg kg-1 day-1 for 24 weeks from 6 weeks-old), sacrificed at 30 weeks-old and studied histologically. HPV16 E6 and E7 expression was higher in oral mucosa compared with the bladder (p 0.001). Importantly, ptaquiloside, but not rutin, increased the incidence of oral squamous cell carcinomas (p = 1.2 × 10-8) in HPV16-transgenic mice. Also, cancers of unexposed transgenic mice were restricted to the tongue base, while ptaquiloside-exposed mice showed multifocal lesions throughout the oral cavity. Wild-type controls showed no oral lesions. No bladder lesions were observed in any treated or untreated group. These results indicate that ptaquiloside from bracken is able to promote oral carcinogenesis initiated by HPV16. Rutin did not show any carcinogenic effects in this model. The absence of bladder lesions may reflect an insufficient incubation period or factors related to the specific viral oncogenes present in this model.

Diagnostic utility of p16 immunocytochemistry in metastatic cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancers

BACKGROUND

Human papilloma virus (HPV) testing can be useful in work-up of patients presenting with cervical node metastasis, suspected to be of head and neck origin as HPV positive tumors show better response to therapy. The current study was planned to detect HPV in aspirates from metastatic cervical nodes using p16 immunocytochemistry in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Further correlation of HPV status between node metastasis and primary tumor was done.

METHODS

The prospective study included 50 patients diagnosed as metastatic SCC in cervical nodes on fine needle aspiration with either known head and neck primary or primary detected post cytodiagnosis. Immunostaining for p16 was carried out on both smears and tissue sections.

RESULTS

Forty-three patients were male and seven were female. Age of the patients ranged from 35 to 80 years. Primary sites of HNSCC were oropharynx (25), oral cavity (14), and larynx (11). Immunocytochemistry for p16 on smears showed positivity in 28 cases. Immunohistochemistry for p16 in primary tumors was positive in 34. There was substantial agreement between p16 immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry (Kappa value: 0.823). The sensitivity of p16 immunocytochemistry for the detection of HPV in metastatic HNSCC was 82.4% while the specificity was 100%. The positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 72.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

P16 immunocytochemistry in HNSCC metastatic to cervical node mirrors the HPV status of the corresponding primary tumor. Hence in tumors of unknown origin presenting as cervical node metastasis, p16 immunocytochemistry can be employed for localization of the primary.

Detection of HPV16/18 E6 Oncoproteins in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using a Protein Immunochromatographic Assay

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The accurate diagnostic assessment of clinically relevant human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma represents an urgent unmet medical need. The aim of this study was to determine feasibility, accuracy, and clinical significance of HPV16/18 E6 oncoprotein detection on cytological specimens from oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and neck lymph node metastasis of SCC from unknown primary tumor (CUP) via a protein immunochromatographic assay.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Cytological specimens from primary tumor and neck metastases were collected from 34 patients with OPSCC or CUP and applied to a lateral flow format test that detects HPV16 and HPV18 E6 oncoproteins. E6 oncoprotein positivity or negativity in these specimens was compared to the specimens' "HPV-driven" reference status, defined by presence of HPV-DNA in combination with p16^INK4a overexpression and/or HPV E6 seropositivity.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 29 OPSCC (62%) and three of five CUP (60%) were HPV-driven according to our reference method. The E6 oncoprotein lateral flow test had a sensitivity of 94% (95% CI: 70%-100%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 66%-100%) on primary tumor, and a sensitivity of 88% (95% CI: 64%-99%) and a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 74%-100%) on neck metastases. Test agreement between the E6 lateral flow test and the clinical reference method, HPV-DNA plus p16^INK4a was excellent, both for primary lesion and neck metastases.

CONCLUSIONS

We found the detection of HPV16/18 E6 oncoproteins to be a feasible, highly reliable, and low-invasive method to assess "HPV-driven" status in OPSCC and CUP.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II Laryngoscope, 131:1042-1048, 2021.

Survival of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) in relation to TNM 8 - Risk of incorrect downstaging of HPV-mediated non-tonsillar, non-base of tongue carcinomas

BACKGROUND

TNM-8 staging separates oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) into human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated and -unrelated OPSCC based on p16INK4a overexpression (p16+), as surrogate marker for HPV. However, OPSCC is histologically and clinically heterogenous including tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC and BOTSCC respectively), and carcinomas of soft palate and walls (otherOPSCC). The significance of HPV is established in TSCC/BOTSCC, while its role in otherOPSCC is unclear, which is not considered in TNM-8. Here, p16+ was therefore evaluated in relation to overall survival (OS) and tumor stage per OPSCC subsite.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All 932 patients, treated with curative intent in Stockholm 2000-2016 with OPSCC, previously analyzed for p16 expression, were included. Clinical data, including stage and OS, was collected retrospectively.

RESULTS

Patients with p16+ otherOPSCC had significantly poorer OS compared to patients with p16+ TSCC/BOTSCC (p = 0.005) and their survival was similar to that of patients with p16-otherOPSCC/TSCC/BOTSCC. Moreover, patients with TNM-8 stage I-II and p16+ otherOPSCC had a significant poorer OS compared to patients with p16+ TSCC/BOTSCC and similar stage (p = 0.02). Lastly, patients with otherOPSCC and low TNM-7 stage had a significant better OS, as compared to those with a high stage (p = 0.019) while no hazard discrimination was observed with TNM-7 in TSCC/BOTSCC.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate a risk of misclassification of patients with otherOPSCC and low TNM-8 stage. We suggest that p16 should only be evaluated in TSCC/BOTSCC and that patients with otherOPSCC should all be staged as patients with HPV-unrelated (p16-) OPSCC.

Emerging role of immune checkpoint inhibitors and predictive biomarkers in head and neck cancers

Head and neck cancers are a group of diverse and heterogeneous tumors, among which squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the most prevalent. Current treatment modalities have limited efficacy; therefore, new therapies are being actively developed and evaluated. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has led to a paradigm shift in the management of difficult-to-treat malignancies. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development of immunotherapies, which are aimed at the functional restoration of the immune system to counteract immune-evasion strategies of cancer cells, and related biomarkers. Monotherapies with ICIs, which primarily target the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) pathway, have shown promising results in clinical trials of patients with recurrent and metastatic SCCHN. Combinations of ICIs with conventional or virus therapies often have synergistic therapeutic effects, without increased toxicity. As only a small subset of patients respond to immunotherapy, biomarkers are essential for the prediction of treatment response and better selection of patients for ICIs. PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) expression is correlated with response but has several limitations as a predictive marker, as its expression is dynamic and heterogeneous, and the cut-off needs further confirmation. Therefore, tumor mutation burden, gene expression signatures, microsatellite instability, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, viral antigens, and the oral microbiota are being investigated as predictive biomarkers. Finally, we delineate other challenges and future prospects for improving patient outcomes, including the major challenge of identifying and validating predictive biomarkers that need to be addressed in future studies.

The tumor immune microenvironment and its implications for clinical outcome in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We examined PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (TCs) and immune cells (ICs) and density of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and investigated their significance on clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

In a cohort of 65 patients treated by definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with curative intent, immunohistochemical analysis of PD-L1 expression on TCs and ICs, and TIL subtyping was performed on primary biopsy tumor tissues, followed by prognostic evaluation of these immune response-related parameters including classification into four tumor immune microenvironment (TIM) types. To evaluate HPV status, p16 immunohistochemistry was performed.

RESULTS

Densities of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ TILs and PD-L1 expressions on TCs and ICs were significantly higher in p16+/HPV-mediated OPSCC. Patients with high densities of stromal CD8⁺ TILs displayed significantly better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). PD-L1 expression neither on tumor cells nor on immune cells affected survival outcomes. Distribution of TIM types based on the combination of PD-L1 expression on TCs and densities of CD8⁺ TILs is significantly different in p16+ compared with p16- OPSCC. In type III TIM (TC-PD-L1+/low CD8⁺ TIL density), significantly better OS was shown in p16+ group compared with p16- OPSCC.

CONCLUSION

The prognostic and predictive role of tumor immune microenvironment was confirmed for patients with OPSCC. Combining HPV status with the evaluation of densities of CD8⁺ TILs and PD-L1 expression including TIM classification might be of high clinical interest and warrants further prospective evaluation.

Inflammatory markers as prognostic factors of recurrence in advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background

Multiple immunologic parameters have provided useful prognostic and assessment significance in various cancers, including head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (scc). We sought to identify whether pretreatment inflammatory markers could prognosticate recurrence in patients with advanced (stage iii or iv) head-and-neck scc who underwent therapy with curative intent in a tertiary care centre between January 2010 and December 2012.

Methods

In a chart review, we recorded demographics; primary tumour characteristics; p16 status; pretreatment inflammatory markers, including body mass index (bmi), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (nlr), C-reactive protein (crp), and serum albumin; therapy received; and date of relapse, death, or last follow-up. The main outcome was relapse-free survival (rfs). Overall survival (os) was a secondary outcome.

Results

From among 235 charts reviewed, 118 cases were included: 86 oropharyngeal (50 p16-positive, 18 p16-negative, 17 p16 unavailable, 1 p16 indeterminate), and 32 non-oropharyngeal (7 p16-positive, 19 p16-negative, 6 p16 unavailable). Median follow-up was 2.45 years (25%-75% interquartile range: 1.65-3.3 years). In univariate analysis, p16 status, bmi, modified Glasgow prognostic score, and crp were significant for rfs, but in multivariate analysis, only p16 status, bmi, and crp remained significant. For os, only crp and nlr were significant in both the univariate and multivariate analyses. After adjustment for p16 status, nlr did not remain significant. After adjustment for p16 status, crp remained significant for both rfs and os.

Conclusions

In patients with head-and-neck scc, a stronger prognostic value is associated with human papillomavirus status than with nlr and many other factors, including bmi and albumin. However, even though few of our patients had high crp, serum crp remained significant despite p16-positive status.

A global epidemic increase of an HPV-induced tonsil and tongue base cancer - potential benefit from a pan-gender use of HPV vaccine

In 2007, human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 was finally recognized as a risk factor, besides smoking and alcohol, for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), including tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), by the International Agency for Research against Cancer. Just before, in 2006, the Food and Drug Administration had approved Gardasil, the first vaccine against HPV16, 18, 6 and 11, for preventive vaccination women against cervical cancer. Concurrently, some Western countries, where smoking was decreasing, disclosed an epidemic increase in the incidence of OPSCC, especially of TSCC and base of tongue cancer (BOTSCC), together accounting for 80-90% of all OPSCCs, and mainly affecting men. The epidemic was later revealed to be due to a rise in HPV-positive cases, and scientists in the field suggested HPV vaccination also of boys. Globally, there are roughly 96 000 incident OPSCC cases/year of which 20-24% are caused by HPV, thereby accounting for around 22 000 OPSCC cases annually. Of these cases, 80-90% are due to HPV16 infection and would be prevented with the presently registered HPV vaccines. In Western countries, such as Sweden (with almost 400 TSCC and BOTSCC cases per year) and the United States, HPV prevalence in OPSCC is higher and around 70%. HPV vaccination of girls has been initiated in many countries, and the vaccines have been efficient and their side effects limited. HPV vaccination of boys has, however, been the exception, but should definitely not be delayed any further. It would benefit both girls and boys directly, and result in better and more robust herd immunity. Today, we have the possibility to eliminate several high-risk HPV types in the younger generations and avoid more than 600 000 cancer cases annually worldwide, and this possibility should be embraced by offering global pan-gender HPV vaccination.

Prediction of survival of HPV16-negative, p16-negative oral cavity cancer patients using a 13-gene signature: A multicenter study using FFPE samples

OBJECTIVES

To test the performance of an oral cancer prognostic 13-gene signature for the prediction of survival of patients diagnosed with HPV-negative and p16-negative oral cavity cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diagnostic formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded oral cavity cancer tumor samples were obtained from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/University of Washington, University of Calgary, University of Michigan, University of Utah, and seven ARCAGE study centers coordinated by the International Agency of Research on Cancer. RNA from 638 Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-negative and p16-negative samples was analyzed for the 13 genes using a NanoString assay. Ridge-penalized Cox regressions were applied to samples randomly split into discovery and validation sets to build models and evaluate the performance of the 13-gene signature in predicting 2-year oral cavity cancer-specific survival overall and separately for patients with early and late stage disease.

RESULTS

Among AJCC stage I/II patients, including the 13-gene signature in the model resulted in substantial improvement in the prediction of 2-year oral cavity cancer-specific survival. For models containing age and sex with and without the 13-gene signature score, the areas under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) and partial AUC were 0.700 vs. 0.537 (p < 0.001), and 0.046 vs. 0.018 (p < 0.001), respectively. Improvement in predicting prognosis for AJCC stage III/IV disease also was observed, but to a lesser extent.

CONCLUSIONS

If confirmed using tumor samples from a larger number of early stage oral cavity cancer patients, the 13-gene signature may inform personalized treatment of early stage HPV-negative and p16-negative oral cavity cancer patients.

Effects of flavonoids on tongue squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue is associated with tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. While clinical outcomes have recently improved for HPV-positive patients in general, 50% of patients suffering from tongue cancer die within 5 years of being diagnosed. Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites with a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. Flavonoids have generated high interest as therapeutic agents owing to their low toxicity and their effects on a large variety of cancer cell types. In this literature review, we evaluate the actions of flavonoids on SCC of the tongue demonstrated in both in vivo and in vitro models.

Differences in gene expression between high-grade dysplasia and invasive HPV+ and HPV- tonsillar and base of tongue cancer

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent for tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC), as well as for cervical cancer. Premalignant stages in cervical cancer have been studied extensively, while little is known about premalignant stages in TSCC/BOTSCC and the role of HPV. Here we analyzed differences in gene and protein expression between high-grade dysplasia and invasive cancer in both HPV-positive (HPV+ ) and HPV-negative (HPV- ) TSCC/BOTSCC.

METHODS

High-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma were laser microdissected from HPV+ and HPV- TSCC/BOTSCC tumor sections. Differential gene expression was studied utilizing nanoString RNA-panels and genes of interest were validated on the protein level by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Forty genes in the HPV+ tumors showed significantly different expression between high-grade dysplasia and invasive cancer and 33 genes in the HPV- tumors. Five out of the nine most significant pathways showed similar increased activity in invasive cancer as compared to high-grade dysplasia in both HPV+ and HPV- tumors. Lastly, significant differences in protein expression was confirmed for SPARC, psoriasin, type I collagen and galectin-1 in both HPV+ and HPV- tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

This is to our knowledge the first study disclosing differences and similarities in gene expression between dysplastic and invasive HPV+ and HPV- TSCC/BOTSCC.

Tumour Cell Anaplasia and Multinucleation as Prognosticators in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) tend to have good outcomes, however a subset does not share this favourable prognosis. The aim of this paper is to investigate the utility of tumour cell anaplasia and multinucleation as prognostic markers in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Retrospective review of 104 patients with OPSCC or squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site (SCCUP) who underwent primary resection and/or lymph node dissection. Slides of both primary and nodal metastatic disease were assessed for the presence of anaplasia and multinucleation. 53 patients were HPV-positive. Anaplasia was more frequent in males (p = 0.005), smokers (p = 0.003), and HPV-negative disease (p = 0.04). HPV status and > 10 pack-year smoking history were independent predictors of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Neither anaplasia, nor multinucleation, at the primary site or in cervical metastases, had any significant impact on RFS or DSS. We did not find either anaplasia or multinucleation to have any significant prognostic impact in OPSCC. However, given the small number of adverse events in the HPV-positive cohort, we may have lacked sufficient power to detect significance in what was the subgroup of primary interest. Our study highlights the challenge of identifying markers of poor prognosis in HPV-positive OPSCC.

HPV-positive status associated with inflamed immune microenvironment and improved response to anti-PD-1 therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy predominantly improve the clinical outcomes of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Whether this superiority goes on when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors is still unclear. This study sought to determine the predictive value and potential mechanisms of HPV status for the treatment of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/ligand 1(PD-L1) inhibitors. We conducted an integrated analysis of the relationships between HPV status and PD-L1, tumor mutation burden (TMB) and inflammation-related immune cells and molecules, based on the analysis of repository databases and resected HNSCC specimens. The pooled analysis of overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR) suggested that HPV-positive patients benefited more from PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors than HPV-negative patients (OS: hazard ratio (HR) = 0.71, p = 0.02; ORR: 21.9% vs 14.1%, odds ratio (OR) = 1.79, p = 0.01). Analysis of public databases and resected HNSCC specimens revealed that HPV status was independent of PD-L1 expression and TMB in HNSCC. However, HPV infection significantly increased T-cell infiltration, immune effector cell activation and the diversity of T-cell receptors. Notably, HPV-positivity correlated with increased immune cytolytic activity and a T-cell-inflamed gene expression profile. This work provides evidence that HPV status can be used to predict the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors in HNSCC, independently of PD-L1 expression and TMB, and probably results from an inflamed immune microenvironment induced by HPV infection.

Absence of disruptive TP53 mutations in high-risk human papillomavirus-driven neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary

BACKGROUND

To enforce the evidence for causality between high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infections and neck squamous cell carcinoma from unknown primary (NSCCUP) and provide biological basis for treatment de-intensification, we searched for TP53 mutations in association with HPV status.

METHODS

TP53 mutations were searched for by amplification of exons 4 to 10.

RESULTS

Of the 70 NSCCUP, 27 (39%) harbored HPV infection. TP53 sequencing resulted in the identification of 19 patients harboring single mutations including 16 disruptive alterations (84%). The association of TP53 mutations and HPV could be evaluated in 48 NSCCUP including those with disruptive mutation in any exon (n = 16) and those without mutations but with complete sequence of exons 4 to 9 (n = 32): no disruptive mutations were found in the 17 HPV-driven NSCCUP but in 16 of the 31 non-HPV-driven NSCCUP (P = .0002).

CONCLUSION

In a fraction of cases, NSCCUP is an HPV-driven entity harboring wild-type TP53 gene or nondisruptive TP53 mutations. HPV-driven NSCCUP might benefit from treatment de-intensification.

LRIG1‑2 and LMO7 immunoreactivity in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: Association with prognosis in relation to HPV‑DNA and p16INK4a status

The present study was conducted to investigate the possible prognostic value of molecular markers LRIG1‑2 and LIM domain 7 protein (LMO7) in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) and their possible correlation to human papilloma virus (HPV)‑ and p16INK4a‑status of the tumors. Patients diagnosed with VSCC at the University Hospital of Umeå, Sweden, during the years 1990‑2013 were selected. Tumor blocks were retrieved from tissue archives and clinical data were collected from the records of patients. HPV‑PCR analysis, HPV genotyping and immunohistochemistry were performed. In total, 112 patients were included. Forty percent of the tumors were HPV‑positive, 27% were p16INK4a‑positive and 23% were positive for both HPV and p16INK4a (considered HPV‑driven). HPV‑positivity and p16INK4a‑positivity were associated with prolonged disease‑free survival (DFS) in Kaplan‑Meier survival analysis. Leucine‑rich repeats and immunoglobulin‑like domains 1 (LRIG1) immunoreactivity was not significantly associated with survival. High leucine‑rich repeats and immunoglobulin‑like domains 2 (LRIG2) immunoreactivity was associated with a prolonged overall survival (OS) (P=0.001). By analyzing HPV‑negative cases only, it was determined that high LRIG2 immunoreactivity was associated with both favorable OS (P=0.008) and DFS (P=0.031). LRIG2 immunoreactivity was also an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis of OS (P=0.002, HR=0.41; 95% CI, 0.24‑0.71). High immunoreactivity with LMO7‑1250 antibody was associated with survival benefits in the whole cohort (OS; P=0.011) although DFS was only prolonged in HPV‑negative and not HPV‑driven tumors (P=0.038 and 0.042, respectively). The present study indicated that LRIG2 and LMO7 may be useful prognostic markers in VSCC, particularly for patients without HPV‑driven tumors or with advanced tumors at diagnosis. In contrast to earlier observations regarding other types of squamous cell carcinoma, LRIG1 was not a significant prognostic factor in VSCC.

Mapping of human papilloma virus, p16, and epstein-barr virus in non-malignant tonsillar disease

Objectives

Due to their location in the entrance of the aero-digestive tract, tonsils are steadily exposed to viruses. Human papilloma virus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are two potentially oncogenic viruses that tonsils encounter. The incidence of HPV positive tonsillar cancer is on the rise and it is unknown when infection with HPV occurs.

Aim

To investigate if tonsils are infected with HPV and EBV, to study the co-expression of HPV and its surrogate marker p16, and to evaluate the number of EBV positive cells in benign tonsillar disease.

Materials and Methods

Tonsils from 40 patients in a university hospital were removed due to hypertrophy, chronic or recurrent infection. These were analyzed for presence of HPV, its surrogate marker p16, and EBV. HPV was studied using PapilloCheck (a PCR method), while p16 was identified in epithelial and lymphoid tissue with immunohistochemistry and EBV using EBER-ISH (Epstein-Barr encoding region-in situ hybridization).

Results

HPV was not detected, and p16 was present at low numbers in all epithelial samples as well as in 92.5% of the lymphoid tonsillar samples. At least one EBER-positive cell was seen in 65% of cases. Larger numbers of EBER-expressing cells were only seen in two cases.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that EBV and HPV infect tonsils independently, but further studies are warranted to confirm their infectious relationship.

Level of Evidence

Cross-sectional study.

Detection of HPV infection in head and neck cancers: Promise and pitfalls in the last ten years: A meta-analysis

The current controversial discussion on the disease-specific survival of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive (+) and -negative (-) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head neck region was the motivation for the present meta-analysis. Different detection methods for HPV are available, though these often lack sensitivity. As a consequence, there may be false interpretation of HPV positivity. A bias concerning HPV status and therefore also survival rates is serving a non-durable relevance in the discussion of tailored therapies. A literature search was performed via the online database PubMed/NCBI, and data extraction and statistical analysis were conducted. A total of 139 studies published between 2004 and 2014 were evaluated in the present meta-analysis. The HPV detection methods, patient characteristics, tumor localizations and stages, as well as (neo-) adjuvant therapies and survival times were analyzed. The average incidence rates of HPV+ patients with oropharyngeal tumors were higher than those of patients with cancers of other regions of the head and neck. Upon evaluating the results of different detection methods no significant differences were identified. We have compared the HPV incidence rates of each detection method, when studies have used more than one. Regarding overall survival, the pooled adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for oropharyngeal SCC was 0.31 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.27-0.36]. Unfortunately, only 3 equivalent studies were available on nonoropharyngeal tumors, for which the pooled adjusted HR was 1 (95% CI=0.73-1.36). Overall, the evaluation demonstrated that the survival rates reported in numerous studies were not evaluated multifactorially and important confounders were excluded from the statistics. The HPV detection methods used were often not sufficient in representing HPV positivity. In addition, oropharyngeal and oral SCCs were assessed together in the localization. The widely differing number of HPV+ patients in each of the various studies may be explained by insufficient detection methods and by a lack of localization distinction. The considerations of a tailored therapy according to HPV status should be rejected based on the present information. The previously published studies should be read critically and do not represent a basis for therapeutic decisions.

Changes in incidence and prevalence of human papillomavirus in tonsillar and base of tongue cancer during 2000-2016 in the Stockholm region and Sweden

BACKGROUND

Tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) has increased. In Stockholm, the proportion of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cases and the incidence of TSCC rose between 1970 and 2006 then stabilized. Here, HPV-prevalence, and TSCC/BOTSCC incidence 2000-2016, in Stockholm and Sweden were followed.

METHODS

Incidence data for 2000-2016 were obtained from the Swedish Cancer Registry. TSCC/BOTSCC biopsies, 2013-2016 from Stockholm, were examined for HPV DNA and p16^INK4a , or data obtained from medical reports. For cases 2000-2012, data were available from previous studies.

RESULTS

The incidence of TSCC/BOTSCC has continued to rise in Stockholm and Sweden 2000-2016, especially after 2008. HPV DNA and p16^INK4a analysis was determined for 795 Stockholm cases from 2000 to 2016, with 72% being HPV DNA and p16^INK4a positive 2013-2016, and 70% positive 2000-2016.

CONCLUSION

During 2000-2016, especially after 2008, the incidence of TSCC/BOTSCC has continued to increase in Stockholm and Sweden, with an HPV-prevalence of approximately 70% in Stockholm.

Salivary metabolite profiling distinguishes patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma from normal controls

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPC) are among the most common cancers worldwide and are associated with high mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study is to identify potential biomarkers to distinguish OCC/OPC from normal controls and to distinguish OCC patients with and without nodal metastasis. We tested saliva samples from 101 OCC, 58 OPC, and 35 normal controls using four analytical platforms (NMR, targeted aqueous by LC-MS/MS, global aqueous and global lipidomics by LC-Q-TOF). Samples from OCC and normal controls were divided into discovery and validation sets. Using linear regression adjusting for age, sex, race and experimental batches, we found the levels of two metabolites (glycine and proline) to be significantly different between OCC and controls (FDR < 0.1 for both discovery and validation sets) but did not find any appreciable differences in metabolite levels between OPC and controls or between OCC with and without nodal metastasis. Four metabolites, including glycine, proline, citrulline, and ornithine were associated with early stage OCC in both discovery and validation sets. Further study is warranted to confirm these results in the development of salivary metabolites as diagnostic markers.

A Review of HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) arise in the mucosal lining of the upper aerodigestive tract. Tobacco and alcohol use have been reported to be associated with HNSCC. Infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of HNSCCs. It is now widely accepted that high-risk HPV is a cause of almost all cervical cancers as well as some forms of HNSCCs. HPV-related HNSCCs are increasing. HPV-related HNSCCs and HPV-unrelated HNSCCs differ with respect to the molecular mechanisms underlying their oncogenic processes. HPV-related HNSCCs are known to have a better prognosis response to treatment as compared with HPV-unrelated HNSCCs. Therefore, in recent years, it has been required to accurately discriminate between HPV-related and HPV-unrelated HNSCCs. To diagnose the HPV-related HNSCCs, various methods including P16 immunohistochemistry, FISH, and genetic analyses of the HPV gene from histopathological and liquid biopsy specimens have been employed. Based on the results of the differential diagnosis, various treatments employing EGFR TKI and low-dose radiation have been employed. Here, we review the involvement of the HPV virus in HNSCCs as well as the molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis, classification, prognosis, diagnostic procedures, and therapy of the disease.

No evidence for human papillomavirus having a causal role in salivary gland tumors

BACKGROUND

Salivary gland malignancies are a very heterogeneous group of cancers, with histologically > 20 different subtypes, and prognosis varies greatly. Their etiology is unknown, however, a few small studies show presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in some subtypes, although the evidence for HPV having a causal role is weak. The aim of this study was to investigate if HPV plays a causal role in the development of different parotid salivary gland tumor subtypes.

METHODS

DNA was extracted from 107 parotid salivary gland formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumors and 10 corresponding metastases, and tested for 27 different HPV types using a multiplex bead based assay. HPV DNA positive tumors were stained for p16INK4a overexpression by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

One of the 107 malignant parotid salivary gland tumors (0.93%) and its corresponding metastasis on the neck were positive for HPV16 DNA, and both also overexpressed p16INK4a. The HPV positive primary tumor was a squamous cell carcinoma; neither mucoepidermoid nor adenoid cystic tumors were found HPV positive.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, HPV DNA analysis in a large number of malignant parotid salivary gland tumors, including 12 different subtypes, did not show any strong indications that tested HPV types have a causal role in the studied salivary gland tumor types.

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

Context.—

The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection varies worldwide. The high-risk viruses are usually associated with cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women, cancer of the penis in men, and cancers of the anus, tonsils, oropharynx, and base of the tongue in both sexes.

Objectives.—

To review literature about the challenges and burden associated with HPV infection in low-resource (ie, developing) countries, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa. To review the prevention, incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality of HPV infections in sub-Saharan Africa. To review the therapy and management of HPV infections in low-resource countries in comparison to developed countries.

Data Sources.—

Peer-reviewed literature and experience of some of the authors.

Conclusions.—

Sub-Saharan Africa has high HPV infection prevalence rates, with predominance of high-risk subtypes 16, 18, and 45. The difficulty of access to health care has led to higher morbidity and mortality related to HPV-related cancers. Improvement in screening programs will help in monitoring the spread of HPV infections. Survival studies can be more informative if reliable cancer registries are improved. HPV vaccination is not yet widely available and this may be the key to curtailing the spread of HPV infections in resource-poor countries.

Survival outcome of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV): A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to assess whether HPV-positive TSCC had better survival and prognosis rates, when compared to HPV-negative TSCC.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed comparing HPV status in TSCC patients. TSCC was confirmed with histopathology and HPV status was confirmed with PCR, immunohistochemistry and/or in-situ-hybridisation. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies were identified, involving 1921 TSCC cases, of which 56.2% (1079) were HPV positive. OS was significantly higher in patients with HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative TSCC in years 1-5 (OR 2.54, P < 0.01; OR 2.93 P < 0.01; OR 2.74 P < 0.01; OR 2.20 P < 0.01, and OR 2.14 P < 0.01 respectively). Similarly, DFS was also significantly higher in patients with HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative TSCC in years 1-3 (OR 2.86, P < 0.01; OR 2.60 P < 0.02; and OR 2.60 P < 0.01 respectively), which was attenuated in years 4 and 5 (OR 1.83, P = 0.10 and OR 1.50, P = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

This is the largest meta-analysis with 1921 patients, comparing non-HPV induced TSCC and HPV induced TSCC, looking at outcome and survival. HPV-positive had better OS and DFS.

Protein Expression in Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer and in Relation to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Clinical Outcome

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major etiological factor for tonsillar and the base of tongue cancer (TSCC/BOTSCC). HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC present major differences in mutations, mRNA expression and clinical outcome. Earlier protein studies on TSCC/BOTSCC have mainly analyzed individual proteins. Here, the aim was to compare a larger set of cancer and immune related proteins in HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC in relation to normal tissue, presence of HPV, and clinical outcome. Fresh frozen tissue from 42 HPV-positive and 17 HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC, and corresponding normal samples, were analyzed for expression of 167 proteins using two Olink multiplex immunoassays. Major differences in protein expression between TSCC/BOTSCC and normal tissue were identified, especially in chemo- and cytokines. Moreover, 34 proteins, mainly immunoregulatory proteins and chemokines, were differently expressed in HPV-positive vs HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC. Several proteins were potentially related to clinical outcome for HPV-positive or HPV-negative tumors. For HPV-positive tumors, these were mostly related to angiogenesis and hypoxia. Correlation with clinical outcome of one of these, VEGFA, was validated by immunohistochemistry. Differences in immune related proteins between HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC reflect the stronger activity of the immune defense in the former. Angiogenesis related proteins might serve as potential targets for therapy in HPV-positive TSCC/BOTSCC.

Human papillomavirus and survival of patients per histological subsite of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma

Current data advocate that oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) should be divided into subsites when evaluating the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and prognosis. More specifically, tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (BOTSCC) have much higher HPV prevalence compared to other OPSCC. Moreover, patients with HPV positive (HPV+) TSCC and BOTSCC have a better prognosis as compared to patients with HPV negative (HPV−) corresponding tumors, while the prognostic role of HPV in other OPSCC is unclear. Furthermore, in a recent report from Denmark, TSCC was further subclassified into specified TSCC (STSCC) and nonspecified TSCC (NSTSCC), with HPV significantly more prevalent in STSCC. In this study, the histopathological influence of HPV prevalence and survival in TSCC was analyzed in a TSCC cohort with known HPV status, of patients diagnosed 1970–2002 in Stockholm. In total, 139 TSCC biopsies with both tumor and adjacent normal tissue were separated into STSCC and NSTSCC. HPV was significantly more commonly found in STSCC than in NSTSCC. Patients with HPV+ STSCC had a better disease‐specific and overall survival as compared to patients with HPV+ NSTSCC, but no survival differences were observed in patients with HPV− STSCC and NSTCC. These findings confirm previous reports and suggest that TSCC subsite may also be of relevance for clinical outcome and should be further followed up in future studies.

Oral Brush Liquid-Based Cytology: A Study of Concordance between a Cytotechnologist and a Cytopathologist

OBJECTIVE

Oral cancer accounts for almost 40% of all cancers in the Indian subcontinent. Techniques like oral scrape cytology are helpful in early diagnosis of premalignant lesion and thus prevention of malignant transformation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of cytotechnologists in assessing the adequacy and preliminary diagnostic accuracy of oral brush liquid-based cytology.

STUDY DESIGN

110 oral brush liquid-based cytology smears were prospectively screened by a cytotechnologist for adequacy assessment, and a preliminary diagnosis was recorded. Smears were subsequently studied by the reporting cytopathologist for the final diagnosis. The performance of the cytotechnologist in the assessment of adequacy and the preliminary diagnosis were compared with the final interpretation rendered by the cytopathologist.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in adequacy assessment between both observers, and good concordance was observed in the identification of frankly malignant lesions; however, in premalignant cases, complete agreement in all the cases was not observed. Maximum numbers of discrepant cases were seen in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 4/17 were downgraded to low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and 2/17 to negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Trained cytotechnologists are capable of assessing the adequacy and identifying the malignancy in oral brush liquid-based cytology smears, and hence there is potential for them to perform initial screening of such cases.