Human Papillomavirus and Risk of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Iran Publisher Pubmed



Karimi A^{1, 2} ; Mohebbi E^{3, 4} ; Mckaychopin S² ; Rashidian H³ ; Hadji M^{3, 5} ; Peyghambari V³ ; Marzban M^{6, 7} ; Naghibzadehtahami A^{8, 9} ; Gholipour M¹⁰ ; Kamangar F¹¹ ; Tommasino M² ; Gheit T² ; Zendehdel K^{3, 12} Show Affiliations
Source: Microbiology Spectrum Published:2022

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Knowledge of determinants of a-, b-, and g-HPVs types in the oral cavity is required for a better understanding of HNSCC development. Oral rinse samples of 498 HNSCC cases and 242 controls from the IROPICAN study-a large multicenter case-control study in Iran-were screened for 21 a-HPV, 46 b-HPVs, and 52 g-HPVs using bead-based HPV genotyping assays. a-HPVs were detected only in 1.2% of the patients and 2.9% of the controls from which HPV16 was the most prevalent type among participants. b-HPVs were detected in 43.8% of the patients and 38.6% of the controls where the lip and oral cavity (45.5%) had the highest positivity. Values for g-HPV prevalence in patients and controls were 26.1% and 24.7%, respectively. The highest percentage of g-HPV positivity was found in the larynx (30.4%). Concerning the b genus, HPV23 and HPV38 were the most prevalent types among the patients and controls, respectively. For the g genus, SD2 in cases and HPV134 in controls were the most prevalent types. Overall, detection of a-HPVs (aOR, 0.40; 95% CI = 0.1 to 1.2; P = 0.11), b-HPVs (aOR, 1.9; 95% CI = 0.9 to 1.6; P = 0.29), and g-HPVs infections (aOR, 1.04; 95% CI = 0.7 to 1.5; P = 0.83) was not associated with the HNSCC development. Our data did not suggest an HPV-related etiology for HNSCC pathogenesis. Nonetheless, this study provides novel insights into the diversity of b-, and g-HPVs in different HNSCC anatomical subsites. IMPORTANCE Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for a subset of neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but knowledge of the prevalence of and risk factors for oral HPV infection, especially cutaneous types in Iran, remains unknown. In a large retrospective study, the authors used a sensitive assay for the detection of a-, b-, and g-HPVs in oral rinse samples of HNSCC and matched controls. They find that the a-HPV contribution to HNSCC in Iran is lower than global prevalence. High-risk a-HPVs or cutaneous b- and g-HPVs were not associated with the HNSCC development. Besides, this study provides novel insights into the diversity of b- and g-HPVs in different HNSCC anatomical subsites. © 2022 Karimi et al.