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The expression of key cell cycle markers and presence of human papillomavirus in squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil
Author(s) -
Li Wei,
Thompson Carol H.,
Cossart Yvonne E.,
O'Brien Christopher J.,
McNeil Edward B.,
Scolyer Richard A.,
Rose Barbara R.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10335
Subject(s) - tonsil , immunohistochemistry , retinoblastoma protein , retinoblastoma , cell cycle , human papillomavirus , cancer research , cell , carcinogen , biology , pathology , carcinoma , medicine , gene , genetics
Background. Chemical carcinogens induce squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck by targeting the p53 and the retinoblastoma (pRb) pathways. Human papillomavirus (HPV) might have an etiologic role in these cancers at particular sites. Few studies have compared cell cycle protein expression in HPV‐positive and HPV‐negative tumors in this region. Methods. Fifty tonsil SCCs were analyzed for HPV by PCR and for expression of cell cycle proteins (p53, pRb, p16 INK4A , p21 CIP1/WAF1 , p27 KIP1 , and cyclinD1) by immunohistochemistry. Results. HPV was present in 42%; almost all were type 16. There were statistical associations between HPV positivity and reduced expression of pRb and cyclinD1, overexpression of p16, and younger patient age. Tumor with down‐regulated p27 tended to have down‐regulated pRb and p21. Conclusions. HPV‐positive tonsil SCCs have distinct molecular pathways. Their association with younger patient age suggests that they are biologically distinct from HPV‐negative tumors. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head and Neck 26: 1–9, 2004