Effect of HPV on tumor expression levels of the most commonly used markers in HNSCC

Abstract

Approximately 90 % of head and neck cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), and the overall 5-year survival rate is not higher than 50 %. There is much evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may influence the expression of commonly studied HNSCC markers. Our study was focused on the possible HPV-specificity of molecular markers that could be key players in important steps of cancerogenesis (MKI67, EGF, EGFR, BCL-2, BAX, FOS, JUN, TP53, MT1A, MT2A, VEGFA, FLT1, MMP2, MMP9, and POU5F). qRT-PCR analysis of these selected genes was performed on 74 biopsy samples of tumors from patients with histologically verified HNSCC (22 HPV-, 52 HPV+). Kaplan-Meier analysis was done to determine the relevance of these selected markers for HNSCC prognosis. In conclusion, our study confirms the impact of HPV infection on commonly studied HNSCC markers MT2A, MMP9, FLT1, VEGFA, and POU5F that were more highly expressed in HPV-negative HNSCC patients and also shows the relevance of studied markers in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC patients.

Toward the use of precision medicine for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

“…HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs have distinct clinical features and dissimilar biology [9, 57]. Approximately 22-26 percent of HNSCCs were found to be HPV positive.…”

“…It was found that HPV infection is an important risk factor associates with a large group of HNSCC patients [ 56 ]. HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs have distinct clinical features and dissimilar biology [ 9 , 57 ]. Approximately 22-26 percent of HNSCCs were found to be HPV positive.…”

Serum Levels of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in Relation to Clinical and Pathobiological Aspects of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

“…Polanska et al recently presented the results of their study focused on the effect of HPV on expression levels of selected tumor markers in HNSCC. Significantly higher expression of MMP9 (p=0.02), VEGFA (p=0.02), and other markers was found in HPV-negative tumor tissues (41). Although IGF-1 analysis was not included in their study, the deregulations of IGF family expression seem to be also very probable in HPV infected tumors.…”

Impact of Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Expression on Outcome in HPV Negative Head and Neck Carcinoma Patients after Surgery and Adjuvant Radiotherapy

“…The authors reported that Gli-2 overexpression is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma undergoing surgery with or without radiotherapy [24]. A recent study by Polanska and colleagues identified differences in protein expression in HPV negative and positive tumors [25]. In particular, HPV negative patients showed a higher expression of MMP9, MT2A, FLT1, VEGFa and POU5F compared to HPV positive patients [25].…”

“…A recent study by Polanska and colleagues identified differences in protein expression in HPV negative and positive tumors [25]. In particular, HPV negative patients showed a higher expression of MMP9, MT2A, FLT1, VEGFa and POU5F compared to HPV positive patients [25]. Fertig and colleagues reported higher expression of Gli-1 in HPV negative head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.…”