title: Prevalence and expression of human papillomavirus in 53 patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been considered a potential risk factor for the development of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purpose of the present study was to investigate HPV infection and high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression in SCC of the oral tongue in 53 Greek patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three biopsies were collected from patients with SCC of the oral tongue and tested for HPV DNA and E6/E7 mRNA expression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of HPV DNA was 11.3% (6/53), while high-risk HPV DNA was found in 7.5% (4/53) of SCC of the oral tongue. E6/E7 mRNA expression was observed in 9.4% (5/53) samples examined. HPV 16 was the commonest genotype identified by both DNA and RNA assays. A total of 28.3% (15/53) of the patients were non-smokers and non-drinkers. HPV infection was strongly associated with abstinence from tobacco and alcohol (p=0.013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of high-risk HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression suggests that HPV may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SCC of the oral tongue.
authors: St. Savvas Regional Anticancer Oncology Hospital of Athens, 171 Alexandras Avenue, 11522 Athens, Greece. epanot@tee.gr.
authors: Elpida
authors: E
authors: Tsimplaki
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Argyri
authors: Dimitra
authors: D
authors: Xesfyngi
authors: Dimitra
authors: D
authors: Daskalopoulou
authors: Dimitrios J
authors: DJ
authors: Stravopodis
authors: Efstathia
authors: E
authors: Panotopoulou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D052163:Human papillomavirus 6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger
keywords: Greek patients; HPV; oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma; oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma