Mutational Profile of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Induced and Non-HPV Induced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Head and Neck cancer accounts for approximately 900,000 cases and over 400,000 deaths annually worldwide. The primary risk factors associated with Head and Neck cancer include usage of tobacco, alcohol consumption, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Few subsites of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) are associated with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) while others remain non-associated. The anatomical, physiological, genetic, protein profile and epigenetic changes that occur in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC has been discussed in this chapter. The mutational profile plays a crucial role in the treatment of the HNSCC patients as the HPV-positive HNSCC patients have a better prognosis compared to the HPV-negative HNSCC patients. This chapter mainly focusses on the mutational profile of both HPV-associated and non-HPV associated HNSCC tumours.