title: HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer, immune response and response to therapy.
abstract: Approximately 25% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) worldwide are associated with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV). HPV-positive HNSCCs have a more favorable outcome and greater response to therapy. While chronic HPV infection allows for the evolution of immune evasion mechanisms, viral antigens can still elicit an immune response. Moreover, a robust lymphocytic response is associated with better prognosis in a variety of tumor types including head and neck cancer. This article outlines several mechanisms whereby the observed improved response of HPV-positive tumors to radiotherapy may be related to enhancement of the immune response following radiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.
authors.forename: Ha Linh
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Vu
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sikora
authors.forename: Shibo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Johnny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kao
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000821:virology*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D011836:Radiation Tolerance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic