P16(INK4a) correlates to human papillomavirus presence, response to radiotherapy and clinical outcome in tonsillar carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Human papillomavirus (HPV) in tonsillar carcinoma is correlated with favourable clinical outcome. Here, p16(INK4A), in situ HPV DNA hybridisation (ISH) and HPVL1 capsid detection were evaluated in tonsillar carcinoma to predict the response to radiotherapy (RT) and prognosis.


METHODS
Fifty-one pre-treatment paraffin-embedded tonsillar cancer biopsies were analysed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used for p16(INK4A) and HPVL1 capsid analysis and PCR and ISH for HPV detection.


RESULTS
High-risk HPV DNA was detected by PCR in 49% of the tumours. P16(INK4a) staining was correlated to HPV In the high-grade p16(INK4a) staining group, 94% had a complete RT response. High p16(INK4a) staining as well as the HPV PCR-positive cases had a favourable prognosis. HPV DNA ISH and L1 IHC could not predict RT response or clinical outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
P16(INK4a) overexpression was correlated to HPV in tonsillar carcinoma and is useful for predicting RT response and prognosis in tonsillar carcinoma patients.
Mellin Dahlstrand
Hanna
H
Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. haanna.dahlstrand@karolinska.se
Lindquist
David
D
Björnestål
Linda
L
Ohlsson
Ann
A
Dalianis
Tina
T
Munck-Wikland
Eva
E
Elmberger
Göran
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000821:virology*; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000821:virology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D004279:DNA, Viral