Human papillomaviruses are identified in a subgroup of sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas with favorable outcome

✍ Scribed by Llucia Alos; Susana Moyano; Alfons Nadal; Isam Alobid; Jose L. Blanch; Edgar Ayala; Belén Lloveras; Wim Quint; Antonio Cardesa; Jaume Ordi

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 322 KB
• Volume: 115
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.24309

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the sinonasal tract and its clinicopathological implications were evaluated.

METHODS:

All SCCs of the sinonasal tract diagnosed in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona from 1981 to 2006 were retrospectively evaluated (N = 60). Clinical and pathological data were reviewed. HPV infection was determined and typed by amplification of HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction using the SPF‐10 primers. p16^INK4a^ expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Overall and progression‐free survival for HPV‐positive and ‐negative patients was estimated by Kaplan‐Meier analysis and by the use of a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS:

HPV DNA was detected in tumor tissue of 12 of 60 (20%) patients. HPV16 was identified in 11 tumors and HPV35 in 1. Immunohistochemistry for p16^INK4a^ stained all HPV‐positive and no HPV‐negative tumors (P < .001). No differences were observed in terms of site and histological grade or stage at presentation between HPV‐positive and ‐negative tumors. However, HPV‐positive patients had a significantly better 5‐year progression‐free survival (62%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23%‐86% vs 20%; 95% CI, 9%‐34%; P = .0043, log‐rank test) and overall survival (80%; 95% CI, 20%‐96% vs 31%; 95% CI, 15%‐47%; P = .036, log‐rank test) than patients with HPV‐negative tumors. In multivariate analysis, HPV‐positive tumors were associated with improved progression‐free survival (hazard ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.17‐0.98; P = .012).

CONCLUSIONS:

A subgroup of sinonasal SCCs is associated with HPV infection. These tumors have a significantly better prognosis. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.