title: Human papillomavirus seropositivity and risks of head and neck cancer.
abstract: We examined antibody response to VLP HPV-16, HPV-16 E6 and E7 antibodies as potential seromarkers of HPV-related head and neck cancer (HNC). The study included 204 HNC cases and 326 controls evaluated for HPV presence in sera using ELISAs for anti-HPV VLP antibodies and HPV-16 E6 and/or E7 antibodies, and in tumor tissue using PCR and DNA sequencing. Anti-HPV-16 VLP was detected in 33.8% of cases and 22.4% of controls, anti-E6 in 20.6% of cases and 0.9% of controls and anti-E7 in 18.6% of cases and 0.6% of controls. HPV-16 DNA was detected in 26.1% of tumors. The adjusted risk of HNC was elevated among those seropositive for HPV-16 VLP (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, 1.1-2.5), E6 (OR = 32.8, 9.7-110.8) or E7 (OR = 37.5, 8.7-161.2). Compared to HPV DNA-negative/seronegative cases, tumor HPV-16 cases had increased risk of detection with anti-VLP antibodies (OR = 6.8, 3.1-14.9). The odds were more pronounced among cases seropositive for E6 (OR = 69.0, 19.3-247) or E7 (OR = 50.1, 14.7-171). Antibodies against E6 or E7 were associated with risk of cancer in the oral cavity (OR = 5.1, 1.2-22.4) and oropharynx (OR = 72.8, 16.0-330), and with disease characteristics: stage, grade and nodal status. Anti-E6 and/or E7 antibodies were found in 74% of tumor HPV-16 positive cases but in only 5% of tumor HPV-negative cases (K =0.7, 0.6-0.8) suggesting good correlation between the serologic marker and HPV tumor status. Antibodies to HPV-16 E6 and/or E7 represent a more specific biomarker than anti-HPV-16 VLP of an HPV-related HNC. Because of the survival advantage of HPV-related HNC, HPV-16 E6/E7 detection may be useful in therapy targeted for HPV-related tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. elaine-smith@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Justine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pawlita
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Rubenstein
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.forename: Lubomir P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Turek
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hamsikova
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000209:etiology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C054855:E2 protein, Human papillomavirus type 16; C052603:E6 protein, Human papillomavirus type 18; D009856:Oncogene Proteins, Viral