title: Human papilloma virus in head and neck cancer: the need for a standardised assay to assess the full clinical importance.
abstract: Recent studies have revealed an important and intriguing role for human papillomavirus (HPV) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). There are indications that the prevalence of HPV-positive HNSCC has recently increased, and genetic analyses point to a completely distinct class of HNSCCs. Most studies suggest that patients with this type of tumour have a better prognosis and some argue that an adjusted therapeutic approach is needed. One crucial point in the research of HNSCC-HPV involvement has often been neglected, which is the lack of a standardised assay to detect HPV. This has resulted in a considerable variation in the frequency of HPV-positive tumours between studies reported thus far. Especially for PCR-based tests, the risk exists that the assay is too sensitive and detects virus without implying a causal involvement in HNSCC. A reliable algorithm to detect a clinically relevant HPV infection in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue has recently become available. Here, we address important biological and analytical aspects of HPV involved in the development of HNSCC and it is emphasised that a standardised HPV assay is a prerequisite for assessing the clinical importance of a HPV infection in HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Section Tumor Biology, Department of Otolaryngology/Head-Neck Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. bjm.braakhuis@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Boudewijn J M
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Braakhuis
authors.forename: Ruud H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Brakenhoff
authors.forename: Chris J L M
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Peter J F
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Snijders
authors.forename: C René
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Leemans
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000821:virology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards