Publication
Evaluation of type-specific antibodies to high risk-human papillomavirus (HPV) proteins in patients with oropharyngeal cancer
Journal Paper/Review - May 25, 2017
Broglie Däppen Martina, Jochum Wolfram, Michel Angelika, Waterboer Tim, Foerbs Diana, Schoenegg René, Stöckli Sandro, Pawlita Michael, Holzinger Dana
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
OBJECTIVES
High risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection leads to a subgroup of oropharyngeal cancer (OPSCC) characterized by improved treatment response. However an universally accepted definition of an HR-HPV-attributable cancer is lacking.
METHODS
Detailed, type-specific HPV antibody responses were analyzed by multiplex serology in HR-HPV-attributable OPSCC patients, defined by p16INK4A overexpression and HR-HPV DNA detection by PCR amplification and sequencing.
RESULTS
Fifty patients were prospectively enrolled. 26/50 (52%) tumor samples were positive for both p16INK4A expression and HR-HPV DNA (22 HPV16, 4 HPV33). Seropositivity was present in 26/26 HPV-attributable OPSCC and one p16INK4A-positive/HPV DNA-negative case. The sensitivity and specificity to diagnose an HR-HPV-attributable tumor was 100% and 96%, respectively for anti-E6 reactivity, 82% and 100%, respectively for anti-E2 reactivity, and clearly lower for anti-E7, anti-E1, anti-E4 and anti-L1-reactivity. 3yr-overall (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS) was higher in patients with HR-HPV-attributable tumors (OS 88% vs 64%, p=0.02; DSS 90% vs 80%, p=0.07) and seropositive patients (OS 88% vs 62%, p=0.01; DSS 92% vs 78%, p=0.05) than HR-HPV-negative or seronegative patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Detection of HR-HPV type-specific antibodies highly correlated with HPV-attributable OPSCC and was associated with better survival. HR-HPV antibodies are promising diagnostic, prognostic and potentially screening markers in HR-HPV-attributable OPSCC.