E5 Oncoprotein: A Key Player in Human Papillomavirus-Positive Head and Neck Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy Resistance
Vanessa Emanuelle Pereira Santos,
Bianca de França São Marcos,
Pedro Henrique Bezerra Fontes,
Micaela Evellin dos Santos Silva,
Stephanie Loureiro Leão,
Gabriel Rômulo Parente da Silva,
Davi Emanuel Ribeiro,
Marco Antonio Turiah Machado da Gama,
Beatriz Eda de Oliveira Isídio,
Ingrid Andrêssa de Moura,
David Beltrán Lussón,
Lígia Rosa Sales Leal,
Aldo Venuti,
Antonio Carlos de Freitas
Affiliations
Vanessa Emanuelle Pereira Santos
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Bianca de França São Marcos
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Pedro Henrique Bezerra Fontes
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Micaela Evellin dos Santos Silva
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Stephanie Loureiro Leão
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Gabriel Rômulo Parente da Silva
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Davi Emanuel Ribeiro
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Marco Antonio Turiah Machado da Gama
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Beatriz Eda de Oliveira Isídio
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Ingrid Andrêssa de Moura
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
David Beltrán Lussón
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Lígia Rosa Sales Leal
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Aldo Venuti
HPV-Unit, UOSD Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
Antonio Carlos de Freitas
Laboratory of Molecular Studies and Experimental Therapy, Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235., 50670-901 Pernambuco, Brazil
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide and is associated with low five-year survival rates. Alcoholism and smoking are the main risk factors associated with the development of head and neck cancer (HNC). However, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been reported as a significant risk factor, particularly for the oropharyngeal subset. In these cases, patients with HPV-positive HNC exhibit a better clinical prognosis; however, resistance to chemotherapy has been frequently reported. The carcinogenic activity of HPV is related to the viral oncoproteins E5, E6, and E7. E5 has been associated with immune evasion mechanisms and modulation of the tumor microenvironment, which appears to be linked to the virus’s resistance to chemotherapeutic treatments. Here, we review the potential of HPV E5 in targeted therapy for HNC and discuss relevant data regarding the activity of this oncoprotein in head and neck carcinogenesis.