Low prevalence of human papillomavirus in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in Queensland, Australia.

Background While human papillomavirus ( HPV) is an accepted risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC), its aetiological role in oral cavity SCC remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the HPV prevalence in an Australian population. Methods DNA was extracted from 63 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour specimens histologically confirmed as SCC of the oral cavity, diagnosed during 2006-2012. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. HPV presence was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were typed by sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess p16^INK4A , p53, pRB, Ki67, Cyclin D1 and p21^WAF1 expression. Results Five of the 63 tumours (8%) were positive for HPV DNA (three HPV-16 positive and two HPV-18 positive). Two tumours overexpressed p16^INK4A (3%) and one of these was also HPV positive. Overexpression of Cyclin D1 correlated significantly with tumour recurrence ( P = 0.029) and death ( P = 0.002). Conclusions This study has identified a low prevalence of high-risk HPV in Queensland, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]