Prevalence of HPV Infection and p16<sup>INK4a</sup> Overexpression in Surgically Treated Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Roberto Gallus,
Tarik Gheit,
Dana Holzinger,
Marco Petrillo,
Davide Rizzo,
Gianluigi Petrone,
Francesco Miccichè,
Gian Carlo Mattiucci,
Damiano Arciuolo,
Giampiero Capobianco,
Giovanni Delogu,
Vincenzo Valentini,
Massimo Tommasino,
Francesco Bussu
Affiliations
Roberto Gallus
Otolaryngology, Mater Olbia Hospital, 07026 Olbia, Italy
Tarik Gheit
Infections and Cancer Biology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, 69008 Lyon, France
Dana Holzinger
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Molecular Diagnostics of Oncogenic Infections, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Marco Petrillo
Gynecologic and Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Davide Rizzo
Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Gianluigi Petrone
Department of Women and Child Health and Public Health, Pathology Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli–IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Francesco Miccichè
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Radioterapiche ed Ematologiche, UOC di Radioterapia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Gian Carlo Mattiucci
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Radioterapiche ed Ematologiche, UOC di Radioterapia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Damiano Arciuolo
Department of Women and Child Health and Public Health, Pathology Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli–IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Giampiero Capobianco
Gynecologic and Obstetric Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Giovanni Delogu
Dipartimento di Scienze Biotecnologiche di Base, Cliniche Intensivologiche e Perioperatorie, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Roma, Italy
Vincenzo Valentini
Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Radioterapiche ed Ematologiche, UOC di Radioterapia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Massimo Tommasino
Infections and Cancer Biology Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, 69008 Lyon, France
Francesco Bussu
Otolaryngology Division, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Background: The mucosal high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with oropharyngeal carcinogenesis. Aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of HR-HPV infection in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) from different subsites, and the clinico-biological meaning of p16 overexpression. Methods: Ninety-seven LSCCs submitted to primary surgery (n = 75) or to post-irradiation salvage laryngectomy (n = 22) were evaluated for HR-HPV DNA and RNA using Luminex-based assays. p16 immunohistochemistry was performed. Results: HR-HPV DNA from HPV16 was detected in seven cases (8.75%), without significant differences between supraglottic and glottic lesions. HPV RNA was never detected. p16 overexpression correlated with HR-HPV DNA, but the kappa agreement score was poor. HPV DNA showed no impact on prognosis. p16 overexpression was associated with a better survival (OS, RFS) in primarily operated cases, while an inverse association with OS was observed in the salvage surgery group. Conclusions: HR-HPV infection appears to have a marginal role in LSCC independent of the anatomical subsite. p16 expression is deregulated in LSCC independent of HPV but displays a prognostic role in patients submitted to primary surgery. The negative predictive role of p16 overexpression in patients undergoing salvage surgery deserves more investigations for validation and elucidation of its clinical relevance.
