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Hewavisenti RV, Arena J, Ahlenstiel CL, Sasson SC. Human papillomavirus in the setting of immunodeficiency: Pathogenesis and the emergence of next-generation therapies to reduce the high associated cancer risk. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1112513. [PMID: 36960048 PMCID: PMC10027931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus infecting mucosal or cutaneous stratified epithelia, is implicated in the rising of associated cancers worldwide. While HPV infection can be cleared by an adequate immune response, immunocompromised individuals can develop persistent, treatment-refractory, and progressive disease. Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) associated with HPV-related disease include inborn errors of GATA, EVER1/2, and CXCR4 mutations, resulting in defective cellular function. People living with secondary immunodeficiency (e.g. solid-organ transplants recipients of immunosuppression) and acquired immunodeficiency (e.g. concurrent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection) are also at significant risk of HPV-related disease. Immunocompromised people are highly susceptible to the development of cutaneous and mucosal warts, and cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal carcinomas. The specific mechanisms underlying high-risk HPV-driven cancer development in immunocompromised hosts are not well understood. Current treatments for HPV-related cancers include surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, with clinical trials underway to investigate the use of anti-PD-1 therapy. In the setting of HIV co-infection, persistent high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia can occur despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy, resulting in an ongoing risk for transformation to overt malignancy. Although therapeutic vaccines against HPV are under development, the efficacy of these in the setting of PID, secondary- or acquired- immunodeficiencies remains unclear. RNA-based therapeutic targeting of the HPV genome or mRNA transcript has become a promising next-generation therapeutic avenue. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of HPV pathogenesis, immune evasion, and malignant transformation, with a focus on key PIDs, secondary immunodeficiencies, and HIV infection. Current management and vaccine regimes are outlined in relation to HPV-driven cancer, and specifically, the need for more effective therapeutic strategies for immunocompromised hosts. The recent advances in RNA-based gene targeting including CRISPR and short interfering RNA (siRNA), and the potential application to HPV infection are of great interest. An increased understanding of both the dysregulated immune responses in immunocompromised hosts and of viral persistence is essential for the design of next-generation therapies to eliminate HPV persistence and cancer development in the most at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehana V. Hewavisenti
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Arena
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantelle L. Ahlenstiel
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah C. Sasson
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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2
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Mulder FJ, Klufah F, Janssen FME, Farshadpour F, Willems SM, de Bree R, zur Hausen A, van den Hout MFCM, Kremer B, Speel EJM. Presence of Human Papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr Virus, but Absence of Merkel Cell Polyomavirus, in Head and Neck Cancer of Non-Smokers and Non-Drinkers. Front Oncol 2021; 10:560434. [PMID: 33552950 PMCID: PMC7855709 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.560434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine the presence and prognostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), and cell cycle proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of non-smokers and non-drinkers (NSND). METHODS Clinical characteristics and tumors of 119 NSND with HNSCC were retrospectively collected and analyzed on tissue microarrays. RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to screen for the presence of HPV and MCPyV mRNA. Immunohistochemistry was performed for expression of p16 as surrogate marker for HPV, Large T-antigen for MCPyV, and cell cycle proteins p53 and pRb. Positive virus results were confirmed with polymerase chain reaction. For EBV, EBV encoded RNA ISH was performed. Differences in 5-year survival between virus positive and negative tumors were determined by log rank analysis. RESULTS All oropharyngeal tumors (OPSCC) (n = 10) were HPV-positive, in addition to one oral (OSCC) and one nasopharyngeal tumor (NPSCC). The other three NPSCC were EBV-positive. MCPyV was not detected. Patients with HPV or EBV positive tumors did not have a significantly better 5-year disease free or overall survival. Over 70% of virus negative OSCC showed mutant-type p53 expression. CONCLUSION In this cohort, all OPSCC and NPSCC showed HPV or EBV presence. Besides one OSCC, all other oral (n = 94), hypopharyngeal (n = 1), and laryngeal (n = 9) tumors were HPV, EBV, and MCPyV negative. This argues against a central role of these viruses in the ethiopathogenesis of tumors outside the oro- and nasopharynx in NSND. So, for the majority of NSND with virus negative OSCC, more research is needed to understand the carcinogenic mechanisms in order to consider targeted therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans J. Mulder
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Faisal Klufah
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Albaha University, Albaha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Famke M. E. Janssen
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | | | - Stefan M. Willems
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Remco de Bree
- Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Axel zur Hausen
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Mari F. C. M. van den Hout
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bernd Kremer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ernst-Jan M. Speel
- Department of Pathology, GROW-School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Mulder FJ, Pierssens DDCG, Baijens LWJ, Kremer B, Speel EJM. Evidence for different molecular parameters in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of nonsmokers and nondrinkers: Systematic review and meta-analysis on HPV, p16, and TP53. Head Neck 2020; 43:303-322. [PMID: 33098216 PMCID: PMC7756438 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this review was to present an overview of the currently identified molecular parameters in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of nonsmokers and nondrinkers (NSND). METHODS Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. RESULTS Of the 902 analyzed unique studies, 74 were included in a quantitative synthesis and 24 in a meta-analysis. Human papillomavirus (HPV) was reported as a molecular parameter in 38 studies, followed by p16 and TP53 (23 and 14 studies, respectively). The variety of other molecular parameters concerned sporadic findings in small numbers of NSND. CONCLUSIONS HNSCC in NSND is more often related to HPV and p16 overexpression compared to tumors of smokers-drinkers. In a third of virus-negative tumors, TP53 mutations were detected with a mutational profile associated with aging and ultraviolet light exposure rather than to tobacco consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frans J Mulder
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, GROW-school for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Damiana D C G Pierssens
- Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, GROW-school for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Laura W J Baijens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, GROW-school for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Bernd Kremer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, GROW-school for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ernst-Jan M Speel
- Department of Pathology, GROW-school for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Ham JC, van Meerten E, Fiets WE, Beerepoot LV, Jeurissen FJF, Slingerland M, Jonker MA, Husson O, van der Graaf WTA, van Herpen CML. Methotrexate plus or minus cetuximab as first-line treatment in a recurrent or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma population of the head and neck (SCCHN), unfit for cisplatin combination treatment, a phase Ib-randomized phase II study Commence. Head Neck 2020; 42:828-838. [PMID: 31903657 PMCID: PMC7216894 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Methotrexate in recurrent or metastatic (R/M) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has limited progression-free survival (PFS) benefit. We hypothesized that adding cetuximab to methotrexate improves PFS. METHODS In the phase-Ib-study, patients with R/M SCCHN received methotrexate and cetuximab as first-line treatment. The primary objective was feasibility. In the phase-II-study patients were randomized to this combination or methotrexate alone (2:1). The primary endpoint was PFS. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), toxicity, and quality of life (QoL). RESULTS In six patients in the phase-Ib-study, no dose limiting toxicities were observed. In the phase II study, 30 patients received the combination and 15 patients methotrexate. In the phase-II-study median PFS was 4.5 months in the combination group vs 2.0 months in the methotrexate group (HR 0.37; P = .002). OS, toxicity, and QoL were not significantly different. CONCLUSION Cetuximab with methotrexate improved PFS without increased toxicity in R/M SCCHN-patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janneke C Ham
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, HB, The Netherlands
| | - Esther van Meerten
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, GD, The Netherlands
| | - W Edward Fiets
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, AD, The Netherlands
| | - Laurens V Beerepoot
- Department of Internal Medicine, Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, AD, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J F Jeurissen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Center Haaglanden, The Hague, VA, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne A Jonker
- Biostatistics, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, HB, The Netherlands
| | - Olga Husson
- Department of Psychosocial Research and Epidemiology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, CX, The Netherlands.,Division of Clinical Studies, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Winette T A van der Graaf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, HB, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, CX, The Netherlands
| | - Carla M L van Herpen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, HB, The Netherlands
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Samuels SE, Eisbruch A, Beitler JJ, Corry J, Bradford CR, Saba NF, van den Brekel MWM, Smee R, Strojan P, Suárez C, Mendenhall WM, Takes RP, Rodrigo JP, Haigentz M, Rapidis AD, Rinaldo A, Ferlito A. Management of locally advanced HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: where are we? Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2015; 273:2877-94. [PMID: 26463714 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-015-3771-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
HPV-related (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has a better prognosis compared to HPV unrelated (HPV-) OPC. This review summarizes and discusses several of the controversies regarding the management of HPV+ OPC, including the mechanism of its treatment sensitivity, modern surgical techniques, chemotherapy regimens, and treatment de-intensification protocols. We also discuss and reconsider potential adverse prognostic factors such as tumor EGFR expression, tumor hypoxia, and patient smoking history, as well as the significance of retropharyngeal adenopathy. Finally, we discuss elective nodal treatment of uninvolved lymph node stations. While this review does not exhaust all controversies related to the management of HPV+ OPC, it aims to highlight some of the most clinically relevant ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart E Samuels
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Avraham Eisbruch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jonathan J Beitler
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, Otolaryngology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - June Corry
- Division of Radiation Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Carol R Bradford
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michiel W M van den Brekel
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Smee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Prince of Wales Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Primož Strojan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Carlos Suárez
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Robert P Takes
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.,Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Missak Haigentz
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Alexander D Rapidis
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Greek Anticancer Institute, Saint Savvas Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, Padua, Italy.
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Grønhøj Larsen C, Gyldenløve M, Therkildsen MH, Kiss K, Norrild B, von Buchwald C. Tumor classification of human papilloma virus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas is inconsistent. Oral Oncol 2015; 51:e63-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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7
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Noorlag R, van Kempen PMW, Moelans CB, de Jong R, Blok LER, Koole R, Grolman W, van Diest PJ, van Es RJJ, Willems SM. Promoter hypermethylation using 24-gene array in early head and neck cancer: better outcome in oral than in oropharyngeal cancer. Epigenetics 2014; 9:1220-7. [PMID: 25147921 DOI: 10.4161/epi.29785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Silencing of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) by DNA promoter hypermethylation is an early event in carcinogenesis and a potential target for personalized cancer treatment. In head and neck cancer, little is known about the role of promoter hypermethylation in survival. Using methylation specific multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) we investigated the role of promoter hypermethylation of 24 well-described genes (some of which are classic TSGs), which are frequently methylated in different cancer types, in 166 HPV-negative early oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), and 51 HPV-negative early oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) in relation to clinicopathological features and survival. Early OSCC showed frequent promoter hypermethylation in RARB (31% of cases), CHFR (20%), CDH13 (13%), DAPK1 (12%), and APC (10%). More hypermethylation (≥ 2 genes) independently correlated with improved disease specific survival (hazard ratio 0.17, P = 0.014) in early OSCC and could therefore be used as prognostic biomarker. Early OPSCCs showed more hypermethylation of CDH13 (58%), TP73 (14%), and total hypermethylated genes. Hypermethylation of two or more genes has a significantly different effect on survival in OPSCC compared with OSCC, with a trend toward worse instead of better survival. This could have a biological explanation, which deserves further investigation and could possibly lead to more stratified treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Noorlag
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Pauline M W van Kempen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Cathy B Moelans
- Department of Pathology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rick de Jong
- Department of Pathology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Laura E R Blok
- Department of Pathology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Koole
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Wilko Grolman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Paul J van Diest
- Department of Pathology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Robert J J van Es
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan M Willems
- Department of Pathology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Correlation between human papillomavirus and p16 overexpression in oropharyngeal tumours: a systematic review. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:1587-94. [PMID: 24518594 PMCID: PMC3960616 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: A significant proportion of squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (OP-SCC) are related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and p16 overexpression. This subgroup proves better prognosis and survival but no evidence exists on the correlation between HPV and p16 overexpression based on diagnostic measures and definition of p16 overexpression. We evaluated means of p16 and HPV diagnostics, and quantified overexpression of p16 in HPV-positive and -negative OP-SCCs by mode of immunohistochemical staining of carcinoma cells. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from 1980 until October 2012. We applied the following inclusion criteria: a minimum of 20 cases of site-specific OP-SCCs, and HPV and p16 results present. Studies were categorised into three groups based on their definition of p16 overexpression: verbal definition, nuclear and cytoplasmatic staining between 5 and 69%, and ⩾70% staining. Results: We identified 39 studies with available outcome data (n=3926): 22 studies (n=1980) used PCR, 6 studies (n=688) used ISH, and 11 studies (n=1258) used both PCR and ISH for HPV diagnostics. The methods showed similar HPV-positive results. Overall, 52.5% of the cases (n=2062) were HPV positive. As to p16 overexpression, 17 studies (n=1684) used a minimum of 5–69% staining, and 7 studies (n=764) used ⩾70% staining. Fifteen studies (n=1478) referred to a verbal definition. Studies showed high heterogeneity in diagnostics of HPV and definition of p16. The correlation between HPV positivity and p16 overexpression proved best numerically in the group applying ⩾70% staining for p16 overexpression. The group with verbal definitions had a significantly lower false-positive rate, but along with the group applying 5–69% staining showed a worse sensitivity compared with ⩾70% staining. Conclusions: There are substantial differences in how studies diagnose HPV and define p16 overexpression. Numerically, p16 staining is better to predict the presence of HPV (i.e. larger sensitivity), when the cutoff is set at ⩾70% of cytoplasmatic and nuclear staining.
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Zhou Q, Zhu K, Cheng H. Toll-like receptors in human papillomavirus infection. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2013; 61:203-15. [PMID: 23435874 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-013-0220-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Infection with human papillomaviruses (HPVs) often causes cutaneous benign lesions, cervical cancer, and a number of other tumors. The mechanisms of host immune system to prevent and control HPV infection still remain poorly understood. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are specific pattern recognition molecules that bind to microbial components to trigger innate immunity and direct adaptive immunity in the face of immunological danger. TLRs have been established to play an essential role in sensing and initiating antiviral immune responses. Recent accumulating evidence demonstrated that HPVs modulate TLR expression and interfere with TLR signaling pathways, leading to persistent viral infection and carcinogenesis. This review summarizes current knowledge on the roles of TLR during HPV infection, focusing on TLR recognition, modulation of TLR expression and signaling, regulatory receptors involved in TLR signaling, and cross-talk of TLRs with antimicrobial peptides. Immunotherapeutic strategies based on TLR agonists have emerged to be one of the novel promising avenues in treatment of HPV-associated diseases in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 3 Qingchun Road East, Hangzhou 310016, People's Republic of China
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