Prevalence of human papillomavirus types and variants and p16INK4a expression in head and neck squamous cells carcinomas in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) diverges geographically. The reliability of using p16INK4a expression as a marker of viral infection is controversial in HNSCC. We evaluated HPV types and HPV-16 variants prevalence, and p16INK4a expression in HNSCC specimens provided by two different Institutions in São Paulo.MethodsHPV DNA from formalin-fixed specimens was accessed by Inno-LiPA, HPV-16 variants by PCR-sequencing, and p16INK4a protein levels by immunohistochemistry.ResultsOverall, HPV DNA was detected among 19.4 % of the specimens (36/186). Viral prevalence was higher in the oral cavity (25.0 %, 23/92) then in other anatomical sites (oropharynx 14,3 %, larynx 13.7 %) when samples from both Institutions were analyzed together. HPV prevalence was also higher in the oral cavity when samples from both Institutions were analyzed separately. HPV-16 was the most prevalent type identified in 69.5 % of the HPV positive smaples and specimens were assigned into Asian-American (57.2 %) or European (42.8 %) phylogenetic branches. High expression of p16INK4a was more common among HPV positive tumors.ConclusionOur results support a role for HPV-16 in a subset of HNSCC.

Impact of human papillomavirus status on survival and recurrence in a geographic region with a low prevalence of HPV‐related cancer: A retrospective cohort study

“…Our study suggests that the burden of HPV-related OPSCC may be increasing in the Brazilian population according to recent data [20][21][22]25 and the HPV-positive OPSCC prevalence. However, HPV status in patients with OPSCC was not associated with distinct epidemiological features, with the exception of tobacco and alcohol consumption, in the studied population.…”

“…10,11 HPV-related OPSCC commonly presents in younger 12 patients who are nonsmokers; the typical clinicopathological presentation is that of a basaloid pattern (differing from the keratinized SCC presentation in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC) 9,13 accompanied by a higher incidence of regional lymph node metastases. Recent data from Brazil shows that the prevalence of HPV associated with OPSCC ranges from 5.6% to 25.6%, [20][21][22] which is in contrast to the 85% observed in Sweden. Such clinical evidence was the basis for the significant modifications that appeared in the most recent TNM classification and for the clinical trials investigating the de-intensification protocols for HPV-positive OPSCC.…”

“…[14][15][16][17][18][19] In some geographic regions, the relationship between HPV and OPSCC has not been clearly established. Recent data from Brazil shows that the prevalence of HPV associated with OPSCC ranges from 5.6% to 25.6%, [20][21][22] which is in contrast to the 85% observed in Sweden. 23 Moreover, the role of HPV infection on clinical outcomes in these low HPV-OPSCCprevalent regions remains unclear.…”

Oral human papillomavirus prevalence and type distribution by country (Brazil, Mexico and the United States) and age among HPV infection in men study participants

“…There have been many cross‐sectional and a few longitudinal studies reporting the prevalence and incidence of oral HPV infections in the USA . However, little is known about oral HPV prevalence among healthy men in other countries such as Brazil and Mexico, where oral HPV prevalence has mostly been estimated in oral cancer and OPC tumor tissue, and among women . Few studies have examined the association between age and oral HPV prevalence, with most conducted among USA populations only …”

“…11,12 However, little is known about oral HPV prevalence among healthy men in other countries such as Brazil and Mexico, where oral HPV prevalence has mostly been estimated in oral cancer and OPC tumor tissue, and among women. [13][14][15][16][17][18] Few studies have examined the association between age and oral HPV prevalence, with most conducted among USA populations only. 11,19 In the current study, we assessed oral HPV prevalence and type distribution in three countries (Brazil, Mexico and USA) and assessed the variation in prevalence by age and sexual orientation among 3,098 men participating in the HPV Infection in Men (HIM) study oral subcohort.…”