Detection of high-risk HPV in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: comparison of chromogenic in situ hybridization and a reverse line blot method

Diagnostic accuracy of HPV16 early antigen serology for HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer is independent of age and sex

A growing proportion of head and neck cancer (HNC), especially oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). There are several markers for HPV-driven HNC, one being HPV early antigen serology. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of HPV serology and its performance across patient characteristics. Data from the VOYAGER consortium was used, which comprises five studies on HNC from North America and Europe. Diagnostic accuracy, that is, sensitivity, specificity, Cohen's kappa and correctly classified proportions of HPV16 E6 serology, was assessed for OPC and other HNC using p16INK4a immunohistochemistry (p16), HPV in situ hybridization (ISH) and HPV PCR as reference methods. Stratified analyses were performed for variables including age, sex, smoking and alcohol use, to test the robustness of diagnostic accuracy. A risk-factor analysis based on serology was conducted, comparing HPV-driven to non-HPV-driven OPC. Overall, HPV serology had a sensitivity of 86.8% (95% CI 85.1-88.3) and specificity of 91.2% (95% CI 88.6-93.4) for HPV-driven OPC using p16 as a reference method. In stratified analyses, diagnostic accuracy remained consistent across sex and different age groups. Sensitivity was lower for heavy smokers (77.7%), OPC without lymph node involvement (74.4%) and the ARCAGE study (66.7%), while specificity decreased for cases with <10 pack-years (72.1%). The risk-factor model included study, year of diagnosis, age, sex, BMI, alcohol use, pack-years, TNM-T and TNM-N stage. HPV serology is a robust biomarker for HPV-driven OPC, and its diagnostic accuracy is independent of age and sex. Future research is suggested on the influence of smoking on HPV antibody levels.

HPV and head and neck cancers: Towards early diagnosis and prevention

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide with an increasing trend of its incidence. Alcohol consumption, smoking, and viral infections, such as the mucosal high-risk (HR) human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are major risk factors for HNSCC development. In particular, HR HPVs are mainly associated with a subset of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), while other head and neck sites are marginally affected by HPV infection. HPV16 is the most frequently HR HPV type associated with HNSCC. In contrast to the cervix, no screening programs or identifiable pre-malignant lesions have been characterized for HPV-related HNSCC. Therefore, identification of general diagnostic algorithms and HPV biomarkers that could facilitate the early diagnosis, disease evolution and recurrence for HPV-driven HNSCCs are urgently needed. We herein review the role of HPV in HNSCC with a focus on epidemiology, biology, applied diagnostic algorithms and available biomarkers in body fluids as early diagnostic tools in HPV-driven HNSCCs.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 Early Antigen Serology for HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Simple Summary

Serum antibodies against human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) proteins are associated with HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). The HPV status of OPC cases is clinically relevant because patients with HPV-OPC show improved survival and treatment response compared to tobacco- or alcohol-induced OPC. In clinical settings, molecular HPV tumor status is usually determined by tissue-based methods detecting molecular markers, such as viral nucleic acids or p16 overexpression. Antibodies against HPV16 in peripheral blood were shown to be very accurate in determining the molecular HPV tumor status in multiple studies. In this work, we reviewed and summarized the available literature on the performance of HPV16 serology for E2, E6 and E7 antibodies to determine molecular HPV tumor status in OPC cases in comparison with tissue-based reference methods. We calculated summary estimates across different studies for sensitivity and specificity, and we investigated factors influencing test performance.

Abstract

Antibodies against HPV16 early proteins have been shown to be promising biomarkers for the identification of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) among OPC cases in multiple studies. A systematic literature search was performed to identify original research articles comparing HPV early antigen serology with established reference methods to determine molecular HPV tumor status. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity of HPV16 E2, E6 and E7 serology for HPV-OPC. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity across studies and describe variables associated with test performance. We identified n = 23 studies meeting all eligibility criteria and included these in the meta-analysis. E6 serology showed the best performance with pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates of 83.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 72.5–90.2%) and 94.6% (95% CI 89.0–97.4%), respectively, while E2 and E7 serological assays were highly specific (E2: 92.5% (95% CI 79.1–97.6%); E7: 88.5% (95% CI 77.9–94.4%)) but moderately sensitive (E2: 67.8% (95% CI 58.9–75.6%); E7: 67.0% (95% CI 63.2–70.6%)). Subgroup analyses revealed increased pooled sensitivity for bacterially (89.9% (95% CI 84.5–93.6%)) vs. in vitro expressed E6 antigen (55.3% (95% CI 41.0–68.7%)), while both showed high specificity (95.2% (95% CI 93.0–96.7%) and 91.1% (95% CI 46.6–99.2%), respectively). Pooled specificity estimates for HPV16 E2, E6 and E7 serology were significantly lower in studies utilizing HPV DNA PCR as the only molecular reference method compared to those using a combination of any two reference methods (HPV DNA, RNA, in situ hybridization (ISH), p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC)), or histopathological reference methods (ISH or p16 IHC) as stand-alone marker. In conclusion, HPV16 E6 seropositivity is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for HPV-OPC. However, its performance differs between serological assays and depends on molecular reference methods.

Human papillomavirus infection in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the HPV positivity rate in patients with laryngeal cancer, and to determine the effect of HPV positivity on survival. An additional aim was to determine if patients with HPV positive laryngeal cancer are more sensitive to chemotherapy and if such sensitivity differs according to chemotherapy protocol.

METHODS

The study included laryngeal specimens obtained from 82 laryngeal cancer patients and 11 laryngeal specimens with normal laryngeal mucosa that were obtained from our hospital's paraffin block archives between 1995 and 2013. HPV was detected via chromogenic in situ hybridization (cISH) and confirmed via genotyping.

RESULTS

HPV was not detected in any of the 82 laryngeal cancer patients' laryngeal specimens, nor in any of the 11 archived laryngeal specimens with normal laryngeal mucosa via cISH. Genotyping confirmed these findings; none of the HPV types studied were detected in any of the specimens. As none of the study samples were HPV positive, it was not possible to compare survival, recurrence, or chemotherapy sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

HPV infection is not a leading cause of laryngeal cancer; however, additional research on HPV positivity in patients with laryngeal cancer and its effect on recurrence, survival, and chemotherapy sensitivity is warranted.

Current status of clinical testing for human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

While a variety of human papillomavirus (HPV) tests and surrogate markers are available, currently there is no consensus on the best detection method(s) that should be used to identify HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and serve as a standard test (or tests) for routine diagnostic use. As we begin to consider using the results of HPV testing for clinical purposes beyond simple prognostication, such as making decisions on treatment dose or duration or for targeted therapies that may be highly dependent on viral-mediated pathways, we need to be more rigorous in assessing and ensuring the performance of the test (or tests) used. Here we provide an overview of the platforms and technologies, including the strengths and limitations of each test, and discuss what steps are needed to generate confidence in their performance for use in clinical practice.

Metastatic HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes in aspirated cytology material: A diagnostic pitfall

BACKGROUND

Although HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has good prognosis, a small proportion of patients develop distant metastases and have worse outcomes. Such metastases can be particularly difficult to diagnose in the lung and mediastinum, where they show extensive morphologic overlap with primary pulmonary neoplasms. This case series discusses metastatic HPV-related HNSCC in lung and mediastinal fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology.

METHODS

The cytopathology archives were searched for lung and mediastinal FNA specimens of patients with HNSCC. Specimens were included if either the index FNA or the patient's original HNSCC was positive for HPV by DNA in-situ hybridization (ISH). Ten such cases were identified. Patient demographics and primary tumor details were tabulated from the electronic medical record. All FNA slides and stains were reviewed.

RESULTS

The ten patients (mean age of 58.2 years) included 4 smokers. Smears from all cases were hypercellular and hyperchromatic, with focal keratinization in 6/10 (60%). Core biopsies and cell blocks showed basaloid morphology with variable amounts of necrosis. All ten FNAs were diffusely positive for p16 (100%) and 7/9 cases stained (77.8%) were positive for HPV DNA ISH.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic HPV-related HNSCC to the lung and mediastinal lymph nodes share the characteristic basaloid, minimally keratinizing morphology seen in Primary HNSCC cytology. Poorly differentiated pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas are the primary differentials. Although primary lung neoplasms are not HPV-related, p16 positivity can be seen in both squamous cell and small cell lung carcinomas. HPV ISH allows definitive diagnosis of metastatic HPV-related HNSCC.

Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the detection and subtyping of human papillomaviruses (HPV) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC)

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a growing problem that presents a significant challenge to Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeons. Knowledge of HPV status yields critical prognostic information, with potential for treatment selection based on tumour HPV status. The current gold standard of diagnosis, PCR, is expensive, demanding and time consuming. Alternatives such as p16 immunohistochemistry are subjective and potentially inaccurate. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a rapid, robust and inexpensive molecular diagnostic technique.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to verify LAMP as a potential bedside diagnostic assay for subtyping of HPV in OPSCC.

STUDY DESIGN

DNA from 72 formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) OPSCC patient samples was tested. PCR and LAMP were then performed to specifically identify HPV 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

For these high-risk subtypes, LAMP had an overall sensitivity of 99.4% and specificity of 93.2% relative to PCR. LAMP is a promising technology that can accurately diagnose high-risk HPV infection.

Human papilloma virus testing in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: what the clinician should know

High risk Human Papilloma virus (HR-HPV) associated oropharyngeal cancers are on the increase. Although, the scientific community is aware of the importance of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) testing, there is no consensus on the assays that are required to reliably identify HR-HPV related tumors. A wide range of methods have been developed. The most widely used techniques include viral DNA detection, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or In Situ Hybridization, and p16 detected by immunohistochemistry. However, these tests provide different information and have their own specific limitations. In this review, we summarize these different techniques, in light of the recent literature. p16 Overexpression, which is an indirect marker of HPV infection, is considered by many head and neck oncologists to be the most important marker for patient stratification. We describe the frequent lack of concordance of this marker with other assays and the possible reasons for this. The latest developments in HPV testing are also reported, such as the RNAscope™ HPV test, and how they fit into the existing framework of techniques. HPV testing must not be considered in isolation, as there are important interactions with other parameters, such as tobacco exposure. This is an important and rapidly evolving field and is likely to become pivotal to staging and choice of treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma in the future.

Different cellular p16(INK4a) localisation may signal different survival outcomes in head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Recently, the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has focused considerable attention on biomarkers, which may influence outcomes. Tests for human papilloma infection, including direct assessment of the virus as well as an associated tumour suppressor gene p16, are considered reproducible. Tumours from familial melanoma syndromes have suggested that nuclear localisation of p16 might have a further role in risk stratification. We hypothesised p16 staining that considered nuclear localisation might be informative for predicting outcomes in a broader set of HNSCC tumours not limited to the oropharynx, human papilloma virus (HPV) status or by smoking status.

METHODS

Patients treated for HNSCC from 2002 to 2006 at UNC (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) hospitals that had banked tissue available were eligible for this study. Tissue microarrays (TMA) were generated in triplicate. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for p16 was performed and scored separately for nuclear and cytoplasmic staining. Human papilloma virus staining was also carried out using monoclonal antibody E6H4. p16 expression, HPV status and other clinical features were correlated with progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

A total of 135 patients had sufficient sample for this analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range 20-82), with 68.9% males, 8.9% never smokers and 32.6% never drinkers. Three-year OS rate and PFS rate was 63.0% and 54.1%, respectively. Based on the p16 staining score, patients were divided into three groups: high nuclear, high cytoplasmic staining group (HN), low nuclear, low cytoplasmic staining group (LS) and high cytoplasmic, low nuclear staining group (HC). The HN and the LS groups had significantly better OS than the HC group with hazard ratios of 0.10 and 0.37, respectively, after controlling for other factors, including HPV status. These two groups also had significantly better PFS than the HC staining group. This finding was consistent for sites outside the oropharynx and did not require adjustment for smoking status.

CONCLUSION

Different p16 protein localisation suggested different survival outcomes in a manner that does not require limiting the biomarker to the oropharynx and does not require assessment of smoking status.