High expression of NFX1‐123 in HPV positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

Background: High‐risk human papillomaviruses (HR HPV) cause nearly all cervical cancers and, in the United States, the majority of head and neck cancers (HNSCCs). NFX1‐123 is overexpressed in cervical cancers, and NFX1‐123 partners with the HR HPV type 16 E6 oncoprotein to affect multiple growth, differentiation, and immune response genes. However, neither the expression of NFX1‐123 nor the levels of these genes have been investigated in HPV positive (HPV+) or negative (HPV−) HNSCCs. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas Splicing Variants Database and HNSCC cell lines were used to quantify expression of NFX1‐123 and cellular genes increased in cervical cancers. Results: NFX1‐123 was increased in HPV+ HNSCCs compared to HPV− HNSCCs. LCE1B, KRT16, SPRR2G, and FBN2 were highly expressed in HNSCCs compared to normal tissues. Notch1 and CCNB1IP1 had greater expression in HPV+ HNSCCs compared to HPV− HNSCCs. Conclusion: NFX1‐123 and a subset of its known targets were increased in HPV+ HNSCCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]