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Updated: May 30, 2026

RNAscope for In situ Detection of Transcriptionally Active Human Papillomavirus in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: March 11, 2014
Human Papillomavirus and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case-Control Study regarding Tobacco and Alcohol
F Farshadpour1, S Konings, E J M Speel
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
We aimed to determine the role of HPV in the pathogenesis and outcome of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in lifelong nonsmoking and nondrinking patients. A case-case analysis was performed to compare the presence of HPV-DNA in tumor cells of 16 nonsmoking and nondrinking with 16 matched smoking and drinking patients (matching criteria: age at incidence, gender, tumor sublocation, tumor stage). HPV was detected using 2 PCR tests, FISH analysis, and p16(INK4A) immunostaining. Nonsmoking and nondrinking patients had more HPV-positive tumors than smoking and drinking patients (n = 12; 75% versus n = 2; 13%; P < 0.001). All HPV-positive tumors showed p16(INK4A) overexpression, and 1 HPV-negative tumor had p16(INK4A) overexpression, (P < 0.001). Overall survival and disease-specific survival were higher for HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative cases (P = 0.027, P = 0.039, resp.). In conclusion, HPV is strongly associated with OSCC of nonsmoking and nondrinking patients. Specific diagnostic and therapeutic actions should be considered for these patients to achieve a better prognosis.
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