High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is not associated with p53 and bcl-2 expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and type of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), as well as to identify a possible association between HPV infection and the expression pattern of p53 and bcl-2, and identify whether the oral HPV infection is a characteristic finding in our sample.


METHODS
We performed polymerase chain reaction and dot blot hybridization for the detection of HPV DNA in paraffin sections as well as immunohistochemical analysis of p53 and bcl-2 in our sample.


RESULTS
Twenty-six cases (29.5%) were positive for the virus by PCR. Dot blot hybridization identified HPV 18 in 21 (80.8%) cases, HPV 16 in one (3.8%) case and a combination of the two types in the four (15.4%) remaining cases. No other type of HPV was detected in the sample. Immunohistochemistry showed p53 in 26 (60.4%) cases and bcl-2 in 17 (39.5%) ones. No significant association was observed between the presence of HPV and the expression of the proteins studied (p=0.988 and p=0.748, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Although this investigation have detected only 29.5% of HR-HPV DNA in OSCC, it is possible that this virus contribute to the development of some case of this tumor. Furthermore, it seems that the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and bcl-2 and the presence of HPV DNA are independent events in OSCC.
Oliveira
Márcio Campos
MC
Department of Oral Pathology of the State University of Feira de Santana, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil.
Soares
Rosilene Calazans
RC
Pinto
Leão Pereira
LP
Souza
Lélia Batista de
LB
Medeiros
Sílvia Regina Batistuzzo de
SR
Costa
Antonio de Lisboa Lopes
Ade L
D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D052161:Human papillomavirus 18 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53