title: Differences in methylation profiles between HPV-positive and HPV-negative oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review.
abstract: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-positive OPSCC is considered a distinct molecular entity with a better prognosis than HPV-negative cases of OPSCC. However, the exact pathogenic mechanisms underlying the differences in clinical and molecular behavior between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC remain poorly understood. Epigenetic events play an important role in the development of cancer. Hypermethylation of DNA in promoter regions and global hypomethylation are 2 epigenetic changes that have been frequently observed in human cancers. It is suggested that heterogeneous epigenetic changes play a role in the clinical and biological differences between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors. Unraveling the differences in methylation profiles of HPV-associated OPSCC may provide for promising clinical applications and may pave the road for personalized cancer treatment. This systematic review aims to assess the current state of knowledge regarding differences in promoter hypermethylation and global methylation between HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht; the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pauline M W
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van Kempen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Noorlag
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht; the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Weibel W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Braunius
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht; the Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; University Medical Center Utrecht; the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stegeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis; Netherlands Cancer Institute; Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Stefan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery; University Medical Center Utrecht; Utrecht; the Netherlands; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus; University Medical Center Utrecht; the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wilko
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grolman
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
keywords: HPV; epigenetic; head and neck cancer; methylation; oropharynx; systematic review