Human Papilloma Virus Infection Does Not Predict Response to Interferon Therapy in Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the frequency of human papilloma virus (HPV) in ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and to evaluate differences in clinical features and treatment response of tumors with positive versus negative HPV results.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with OSSN.


METHODS
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia specimens were analyzed for the presence of HPV. Clinical features and response to interferon were determined retrospectively and linked to the presence (versus absence) of HPV.


METHODS
Clinical characteristics of OSSN by HPV status.


RESULTS
Twenty-one of 27 tumors (78%) demonstrated positive HPV results. The HPV genotypes identified included HPV-16 in 10 tumors (48%), HPV-31 in 5 tumors, HPV-33 in 1 tumor, HPV-35 in 2 tumors, HPV-51 in 2 tumors, and a novel HPV in 3 tumors (total of 23 tumors because 1 tumor had 3 identified genotypes). Tumors found in the superior limbus were more likely to show positive HPV results (48% vs. 0%; P=0.06, Fisher exact test). Tumors with positive HPV-16 results were larger (68 vs. 34 mm2; P=0.08, Mann-Whitney U test) and were more likely to have papillomatous morphologic features (50% vs. 12%; P=0.07, Fisher exact test) compared with tumors showing negative results for HPV-16. Human papilloma virus status was not found to be associated with response to interferon therapy (P=1.0, Fisher exact test). Metrics found to be associated with a nonfavorable response to interferon were male gender and tumors located in the superior conjunctivae.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of HPV in OSSN seems to be more common in lesions located in the nonexposed, superior limbus. Human papilloma virus presence does not seem to be required for a favorable response to interferon therapy.
Department of Ophthalmology, Miami Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida; Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Anat
A
Galor
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Nisha
N
Garg
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Afshan
A
Nanji
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Madhura
M
Joag
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio Status University, Columbus, Ohio.
Gerard
G
Nuovo
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Sotiria
S
Palioura
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida; Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
Gaofeng
G
Wang
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida. Electronic address: ckarp@med.miami.edu.
Carol L
CL
Karp
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53