HPV Detection by RT-PCR in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Correlation with p16 Expression, Histopathology, and...

The aim of the study was to determine HPV incidence among laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCC) using HPV E6/E7 mRNA RT-PCR and to compare diagnostic capabilities of p16 immunohistochemistry against it. With the data gathered, the relationship between HPV status, pathological and clinical parameters will be assessed.

This retrospective, single-centred study included 112 laryngectomy cases tested for HPV E6/E7 mRNA using RT-PCR, which detects transcripts of 14 high-risk HPV types, and additionally identifies the presence of HPV 16 and 18/45-specific transcripts. p16 protein immunohistochemistry was also performed, and overall results were compared with clinical and pathological data.

p16 immunoreactivity was observed in 18 cases (16%). In one case, more than 70% of the tumour cells exhibited strong staining. The p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC) score was above 6/9 in 5 cases (28% of p16-positive cases, 4% of all cases). Despite p16 reactivity, none of the cases demonstrated transcriptionally active HPV with RT-PCR tests. The RT-PCR analysis result was positive for HPV type 16 in one case, with no p16 immunoreactivity observed in the tumour cells.

In our study, the findings suggest that HPV has a minimal effect on LSCC carcinogenesis in Türkiye. Our findings suggest that p16 immunohistochemistry may not be a suitable surrogate marker for HPV detection in LSCC. Additionally, p16 IHC positivity was associated with decreased survival. This suggests that p16 expression could potentially be used as a prognostic marker, although its clinical significance requires fur-ther validation.