title: Hybrid Capture 2 human papillomavirus testing of fine needle aspiration cytology of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for 25% of HNSCCs and frequently presents with neck lymph node metastases. We investigated utilizing cytology needle rinse material for HPV DNA testing by Hybrid Capture 2 molecular testing (HC2) as an alternative to p16 immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two cases of HNSCC presenting with neck lymph node metastasis were prospectively identified by assessment of Diff Quik stained cytology smears. An aliquot of the needle rinse material from the lymph node was analyzed for HPV status using standard HC2 protocol. P16 status was determined with immunohistochemistry on the cell block and/or surgically obtained tumor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients with p16 negative HNSCC was 7 years older than p16 positive disease (Table ). Primary tumor subsites were as follows: 17 oropharynx, 1 hypophayrnx, 3 larynx, and 1 oral cavity (Table ). All ten p16 negative patients had a history of smoking compared with 33% of p16 positive. Only 3 (25%) of p16 positive tumors demonstrated keratinization, whereas 90% of the p16 negative tumors keratinized (Fig. 1). Twelve of 22 HNSCC cases (55%) were p16 positive, of which 7 (58%) tested positive for HPV by HC2. Ten cases (45%) were negative for p16, all of which were negative for HPV by HC2 (Table ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molecular testing for HPV using HC2 on needle rinse material of FNA of HNSCC is a useful method of determining HPV status in HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Laleh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hakima
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prystowsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schlecht
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suhrland
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York.
authors.forename: Samer N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khader
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001399:Azure Stains; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D061809:Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014966:Xanthenes
chemical_list: D001399:Azure Stains; C000614131:CDKN2A protein, human; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D004279:DNA, Viral; C067461:Diff Quik; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014966:Xanthenes; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: HPV; Hybrid Capture 2; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma