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Oral rinse sampling helped identify HPV-positive HNSCC

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High-risk oral HPV infections were more commonly found both before and up to five years after therapy in patients with HPV16-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The infections were identified using oral rinse sampling and targeted DNA amplification.

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine analyzed serial oral rinse samples from 135 patients with newly diagnosed HNSSC. The median age at diagnosis was 57 years. Samples were collected as often as once every three months for up to three years. Patients provided a median of four samples over a median of 21 months of follow-up.

The researchers reported HPV16-positive tumors in 44 patients. Oral HPV infections were more likely to occur before (OR=8.6; 95% CI, 3.5-21) and after treatment (OR=2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-7.4) among patients with HPV16-positive disease compared with those with HPV16-negative disease.

Patients with HPV16-positive HNSSC were also more likely to have HPV16 and other high-risk-type oral infections both before (OR=9.6; 95% CI, 2.4-3.9) and after (OR=5.4; 95% CI, 1.3-2.2) therapy. After treatment, the odds of an oral HPV16 infection increased by about 14-fold among patients with HPV16-positive tumors compared with those with HPV16-negative tumors.

According to the researchers, oral rinse sampling revealed that most HPV16 variants were European, unique and identical to those in the tumor. – by Stacey L. Adams

Clin Cancer Res. 2008;doi:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-08-1915.

We physicians must start collecting historical data concerning oral sexual habits and/or dog ownership in our HNSCC patients. Appropriate education of the public depends on such data.

– Harry S. Jacob, MD

HemOnc Today Chief Medical Editor