title: [Human papillomavirus and squamous cell cancer of the head and neck region : Prognostic, therapeutic and prophylactic implications].
abstract: Human papilloma viruses (HPV) are responsible for approximately half of all oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) and incidence rates of HPV-associated OPSCC continue to increase substantially. The defined viral carcinogenesis permits development of specific diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic approaches. Laboratory identification of HPV-associated OPSCC may be achieved by p16(INK4a) immunohistochemistry combined with HPV DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using tumor tissue. Patients with HPV-associated OPSCC have a relatively good prognosis; therefore, the HPV status plays an important role in patient guidance. Due to the relatively favorable prognosis, ongoing studies are evaluating whether less rigorous therapy for HPV-positive patients results in equally good cure rates. The criteria for patient selection are, however, still uncertain. Particularly markers for detection of HPV-positive patients with a high risk of treatment failure are lacking. Besides tumor stage and comorbidities, distinct genomic, epigenetic, and immunologic alterations are prognostically relevant for HPV-associated OPSCC, and might be of predictive value. Furthermore, the characteristic molecular alterations suggest the possibility of novel vigilant and specific therapy approaches. These may be inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase (PI3K) pathway, which is frequently activated in HPV-associated OPSCC, and immunotherapeutic methods, e. g., therapeutic vaccination. Although prophylactic HPV vaccinations may also prevent development of HPV-associated OPSCC, foreseeable effects on OPSCC incidence will be low, given the low vaccination rates in Germany. This highlights the fact that interdisciplinary research networks should enhance the necessary activities related to HPV-associated OPSCC.
authors: Abteilung für Angewandte Tumorbiologie, Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland. miriam.reuschenbach@med.uni-heidelberg.de.|The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC), . miriam.reuschenbach@med.uni-heidelberg.de.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Reuschenbach
authors: The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).|Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf-, Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Deutschland.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Wagner
authors: The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).|Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf-, Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Deutschland.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Würdemann
authors: The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).|Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf-, Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Deutschland.
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Sharma
authors: Abteilung für Angewandte Tumorbiologie, Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.|The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).
authors: E-S
authors: ES
authors: Prigge
authors: Abteilung für Angewandte Tumorbiologie, Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.|The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sauer
authors: The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).|Klinik für Strahlentherapie und Radioonkologie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Deutschland.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Wittig
authors: The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).|Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf-, Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Deutschland.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Wittekindt
authors: Abteilung für Angewandte Tumorbiologie, Institut für Pathologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.|The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).
authors: M
authors: M
authors: von Knebel Doeberitz
authors: The Human Papillomavirus Infection and Oropharyngeal Cancer Consortium (HOCC).|Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf-, Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Gießen, Deutschland.
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: Klussmann
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Active immunotherapy; Carcinogenesis; Oropharyngeal cancer; Phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase; Signal transduction