PLoS ONE (Jan 2021)

Understanding the impact of high-risk human papillomavirus on oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas in Taiwan: A retrospective cohort study.

  • Guadalupe Lorenzatti Hiles,
  • Kai-Ping Chang,
  • Emily L Bellile,
  • Chun-I Wang,
  • Wei-Chen Yen,
  • Christine M Goudsmit,
  • Hannah L Briggs,
  • Trey B Thomas,
  • Lila Peters,
  • Macy A Afsari,
  • Lisa M Pinatti,
  • Anna C Morris,
  • Nadine Jawad,
  • Thomas E Carey,
  • Heather M Walline

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250530
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 4
p. e0250530

Abstract

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Background and objectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV)-driven oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is increasing globally. In Taiwan, HPV-positive OPSCC is obscured by tobacco, alcohol, and betel quid use. We investigated the role of high-risk HPV (hrHPV) in a large retrospective Taiwan OPSCC cohort.Methods and resultsThe cohort of 541 OPSCCs treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from 1998-2016 consisted of 507 men (94%) and 34 women (6%). Most used tobacco (81%), alcohol (51%), and betel quid (65%). Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue was used for p16 staining (a surrogate marker for HPV) and testing for HPV DNA presence and type by Multiplex HPV PCR-MassArray. HPV DNA and/or p16 staining (HPV-positive) was found in 28.4% (150/528) tumors. p16 and HPV DNA were strongly correlated (F ConclusionsAs with HPV-positive OPSCC globally, HPV is an increasingly important etiological factor in Taiwanese OPSCC. HPV-positive OPSCC has considerable survival benefit, but this is reduced by alcohol, tobacco, and betel quid use. hrHPV is a cancer risk factor in males and females. Vaccinating both sexes with a multivalent vaccine including HPV58, combined with alcohol and tobacco cessation policies will be effective cancer-prevention public health strategies in Taiwan.