title: Low prevalence of transcriptionally active human papilloma virus in Indian patients with HNSCC and leukoplakia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we comprehensively analyzed the prevalence of transcriptionally active human papilloma virus (HPV) in tissue samples of Indian patients with leukoplakia, predominantly hyperplastic lesions and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In addition, saliva samples from patients with HNSCC were screened for HPV detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  P16 overexpression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Tissue samples of leukoplakia (n = 121) and HNSCC (n = 427) and saliva from patients with HNSCC (n = 215) were tested for HPV using nested polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were sequenced for subtyping. The presence of HPV E6/E7 mRNA was confirmed by RNA in situ hybridization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P16 expression and HPV DNA were not detected in any of the leukoplakia specimens. Of the 427 HNSCC tumors, 9 showed p16 overexpression and 7/427 cases were positive for HPV16 DNA, in saliva or tissue. E6/E7 mRNA positivity was observed in 8 HNSCC samples, primarily from patients with no habit of tobacco consumption. The prevalence of high-risk HPV was restricted to oropharynx and larynx, with very little concordance between p16 overexpression and HPV positivity. All patients with HPV-positive saliva samples had transcriptionally active HPV present in their tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of HPV DNA does not necessarily reflect transcriptionally active virus in tumors; hence, it is important to consider this fact while categorizing HPV-associated tumors.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Priyanka G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bhosale
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Manishkumar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Rajiv S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Asawari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Shubhada
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre, Parel, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Prabhash
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Institute, Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Navi Mumbai, India. Electronic address: mmahimkar@actrec.gov.in.
authors.forename: Manoj B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Mahimkar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D061809:Human Papillomavirus DNA Tests; D052162:Human papillomavirus 16 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007194:India; D007971:Leukoplakia / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004279:DNA, Viral