Low Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in Oral Cavity Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

Research conducted by L. Scapoli and colleagues at the University of Bologna, Center of Molecular Genetics has revealed a low prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in squamous-cell carcinoma limited to the oral cavity proper. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of high-risk HPV in a large sample of squamous-cell carcinoma using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the prevalence of high-risk HPV was as low as 2% (CI 0.6-3) among 314 squamous-cell carcinoma cases. The study's findings do not support a major role for HPV in the etiology of oral cavity squamous-cell carcinoma.

Key Takeaways:

• The study was conducted on 314 squamous-cell carcinoma cases limited to the oral cavity proper.
• The prevalence of high-risk HPV was found to be as low as 2% (CI 0.6-3) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
• The results of the matched pairs case-control analysis did not indicate a significant difference in HPV prevalence between cases and controls.
• The study's findings suggest that HPV may not play a major role in the etiology of oral cavity squamous-cell carcinoma.
• L. Scapoli and colleagues used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, a method that ensures high sensitivity and excludes false-positive results.
• The study was published in Modern Pathology in 2009.

Statistics:

• 314 squamous-cell carcinoma cases were included in the study.
• The prevalence of high-risk HPV was 2% (CI 0.6-3).
• The study's results were obtained using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Sources:

• Modern Pathology, 2009;22(3):366-72.
• University of Bologna, Center of Molecular Genetics.
• University of Bologna, Dept. of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, Centre of Molecular Genetics, Bologna, Italy.
• Nature Publishing Group, 345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010-1707, USA.