The role of HVP P16 i̇n the oral cavi̇ty and oropharynx squamous cell cancers

Objective: Recent studies showed that human papilloma virus infections may play a role in developing cancer in the oral cavity and oropharynx. The most certain carcinogenic genotype for the head and neck region and the most common high risk HPV genotype, HPV p16, is frequently detected in oropharengeal squamous cell cancers. HPV positive oral cavity and oropharynx cancers are epidemiologically distinct from HPV negative ones, and are characterized by younger age at onset, male predominance, and strong association with sexual behaviors. These observations lead to questions regarding management choices for patients based on tumour HPV status with important consequences on treatment, and on the role of vaccines and targeted therapy over the upcoming years. Patients and Methods: Patients who admitted to the ear nose and throat clinic of the hospital of Gaziantep University the outer lip of the oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer in the study. p16 and HPV antibodies were applied for immunohistochemistry. The sections were examined the light microscopy. Results: P16 was detected in 17 (23.6%) cases, whereas 55 (76.4%) cases showed a negative reaction. There was no significant relationship of p16 with prognostic parameters. But significant differences was seen in survival between the HPV positive and negative groups in oropharyngeal cancer. Conlusions: Regarding disease management, based on the present information, we can consider HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer as a distinct subset of HNSCC with a more favourable outcome. HPV-positive oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers seems to be more responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy than HPV-negative disease. The presence of HPV 16 can also be thought of as a prognostic marker for enhanced overall and disease-free survival, but its use as a predictive marker has not yet been proven. Many questions about the natural history of oral HPV infection are still under investigation. In future clinical trials, cancer centres should stratify head and neck patients by HPV status. However, we must always emphasise that the best cure against cancer is prevention, especially in those malignancies in which the main pathogenic agent is known. Key Words: Oral cavity and oropharynx cancer, Human papilloma virus p16, İmmünohistochemistry.