Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx and carcinoma of other sites in the head and neck

ObjectiveDetermine the presence and prognostic value of human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), and cell cycle proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of non-smokers and non-drinkers (NSND).MethodsClinical characteristics and tumors of 119 NSND with HNSCC were retrospectively collected and analyzed on tissue microarrays. RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to screen for the presence of HPV and MCPyV mRNA. Immunohistochemistry was performed for expression of p16 as surrogate marker for HPV, Large T-antigen for MCPyV, and cell cycle proteins p53 and pRb. Positive virus results were confirmed with polymerase chain reaction. For EBV, EBV encoded RNA ISH was performed. Differences in 5-year survival between virus positive and negative tumors were determined by log rank analysis.ResultsAll oropharyngeal tumors (OPSCC) (n = 10) were HPV-positive, in addition to one oral (OSCC) and one nasopharyngeal tumor (NPSCC). The other three NPSCC were EBV-positive. MCPyV was not detected. Patients with HPV or EBV positive tumors did not have a significantly better 5-year disease free or overall survival. Over 70% of virus negative OSCC showed mutant-type p53 expression.ConclusionIn this cohort, all OPSCC and NPSCC showed HPV or EBV presence. Besides one OSCC, all other oral (n = 94), hypopharyngeal (n = 1), and laryngeal (n = 9) tumors were HPV, EBV, and MCPyV negative. This argues against a central role of these viruses in the ethiopathogenesis of tumors outside the oro- and nasopharynx in NSND. So, for the majority of NSND with virus negative OSCC, more research is needed to understand the carcinogenic mechanisms in order to consider targeted therapeutic options.

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Head and neck cancer in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection: incidence, outcome and association with Epstein-Barr virus

The Journal of Laryngology & Otology ◽

10.1258/002221504322927982 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 118 (3) ◽

pp. 207-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

T. Powles ◽

J. Powles ◽

M. Nelson ◽

A. Sandison ◽

D. Peston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Head And Neck Cancer ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Clinical Features ◽

Neck Cancer ◽

Epstein Barr Virus ◽

Barr Virus ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Epstein Barr ◽

Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1

Head and neck cancers have been described in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. However the incidence, aetiology and clinical features of the disease remain unclear.Patients with head and neck cancer and HIV were identified from a large HIV centre. The incidence and clinical features were recorded, and the tumours were stained for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).Head and neckcancer occurred more frequently than in an age-matched control group (1.66 vs 0.55/10,000 patient years respectively p < 0.05). Highly active anti-retroviral therapy has not significantly altered the incidence of the disease. All of the tumours tested were positive for EBV. Patients were moderately immunosuppressed at diagnosis and had aggressive tumours. All but one of the patients died of cancer with a median survival of 28 months.Head and neck cancer occurs more frequently in HIV. It is an aggressive disease and EBV may play a role in its pathogenesis.

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