HPV and oral health. Beyond a gender-specific approach

Anti-HPV vaccine, currently available in Italy, guarantees protection from HPV 16 and 18, responsible for 70% of cervical cancer, and HPV 6 and 11, responsible for benign warts. HPV-related outcomes have only been female gender-linked pathologies. Currently, anti-HPV vaccines has been supplied free in Italy to all 12 years old girls, to prevent cervical cancer. However, some epidemiological research suggests the opportunity to go beyond the gender specificity for HPV, particularly HPV-related oral cancer. An analysis of recent scientific literature suggests HPV-16 is involved as a prognostic risk indicator in patients with squa- mous cell oral carcinoma (Sugiyama M et al, Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2007). Moreover, Scully (Br. Dent. J, 2005) underlines that the incidence of oral cancer is increasing in young adult population, and some cases cannot be explained by alcohol and tobacco, with HPV indicated as the infective agent, particularly for oro- pharyngeal cancer, with pathogenic potential also for ano- genital lesions. Campisi et al (Int J of Oncology, 2007), reviewing literature, showed that, HPV can have a role in the pathogenesis of some oro- pharyngeal cancers. There is no gender predilection for HPV- related oncogenic process in the oral cavity, and any oral surface may be affected. On this basis, perhaps HPV cannot be considered only a female pathogen and that its role in oro-pharyngeal cancer etiology needs to be investigated, with particular reference to prognosis in relation of HPV infection and possible recommendation of vaccine license extension to young males who have not been exposed to HPV.