Laryngeal cancer, HPV DNA vs E6/E7 mRNA test: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE: The reported range of involvement of human papillomavirus (HPV) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is wide because of the methods used to detect HPV. DATA SOURCES: A computerized Medline study was carried out using the following as key words: "Papillomavirus Infections"[Mesh] and "Laryngeal Neoplasms"[Mesh]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies that were included were written in English and reported results of HPV DNA with RNA in laryngeal SCC. RESULTS: There were six reported HPV mRNA extraction. Among these studies, Lewis et al reported that out of the 31 cases analyzed, only 2 were HPV DNA+ and of these only 1 was mRNA HPV+ (3%). Halec et al reported 102 cases of which 32 were HPV DNA+ cases and of which only 6 were mRNA+ (5%). Chernock et al reported 76 cases of which 13 were HPV DNA+ cases and of which 4 were mRNA+ (5%). Masand et al reported 8 cases of which 1 was HPV DNA+ case and none was mRNA+. Gheit et al reported 43 cases of which 4 were HPV DNA+ cases and of which 2 were mRNA+ (4%). Castellsagné et al reported 1042 cases of which 59 were HPV DNA+ case and of which 51 were mRNA+ (4.8%) CONCLUSIONS: When determining the role of HPV in laryngeal SCC, evidence of HPV DNA warrants further examination for E6/E7 mRNA as simple assays such as p16 are nonspecific in laryngeal SCC. Further studies of HPV and its role in laryngeal SCC are warranted.