Papillomaviruses in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the epidemiological data suggesting a causal relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), along with a review of the transforming interaction between host cellular proteins and HPV viral proteins. Although much circumstantial evidence currently exists, the literature still lacks unequivocal evidence linking HPV with HNSCC. When all anatomic sites are considered, the prevalence of HPV in HNSCC does not appear to be higher than the prevalence of HPV in clinically normal mucosa. Although HPVs have demonstrated the ability to induce oncogenic transformation of cells in vitro, the causal relationship between HPV and HNSCC remains controversial. However, it is difficult to ignore the highly preferential association of HPV with tonsillar carcinoma, as well as the finding of high-risk HPV type 16 in these tumors. Epidemiological findings also lend further support to a causal relationship between HPV and HNSCC, particularly for oropharyngeal tumors. An etiological association between HPV and oral cancer implies that preventive interventions can be designed.