title: Human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal cancer: The changing face of a disease.
abstract: The last decade has brought about an unexpected rise in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) primarily in white males from the ages of 40-55years, with limited exposure to alcohol and tobacco. This subset of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been found to be associated with human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Other Head and Neck Squamous Cell carcinoma (HNSCC) subtypes include oral cavity, hypopharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and laryngeal SCC which tend to be HPV negative. HPV associated oropharyngeal cancer has proven to differ from alcohol and tobacco associated oropharyngeal carcinoma in regards to the molecular pathophysiology, presentation, epidemiology, prognosis, and improved response to chemoradiation therapy. Given the improved survival of patients with HPV associated SCC, efforts to de-intensify treatment to decrease treatment related morbidity are at the forefront of clinical research. This review will focus on the important differences between HPV and tobacco related oropharyngeal cancer. We will review the molecular pathogenesis of HPV related oropharyngeal cancer with an emphasis on new paradigms for screening and treating this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mallen-St Clair
authors.affiliation: UCLA School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alani
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
authors.forename: Marilene B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System/David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States; Member of Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States. Electronic address: esrivats@g.ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Eri S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Srivatsan
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053586:Virus Internalization
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: Check point inhibitors; Chemo-radiation therapy; HPV vaccines; Human papillomavirus; Immune therapy; Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC)