Relative distribution of human papilloma virus in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been detected in benign and neoplastic laryngeal lesions, with variable frequency (20-60%). These viral agents are proposed as an adjuvant or cofactor in head and neck carcinogenesis because of their oncogenic properties. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify HPV in laryngeal carcinoma samples and to describe their genotype distribution. Material and method: Tumor samples from patients with newly diagnosed laryngeal carcinomas were collected, fixed in formalin and paraffin-embedded. HPV genome was identified by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers complementary to the conserved region L1 (MY09-11). Genotyping was accomplished by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: 24 of the 90 samples were positive for HPV DNA (27%), all of the samples were positive for human B-globin. The genotypes identified were HPV 16 (5 cases), HPV 18 (7 cases), and HPV 39, 45, 51, 58, 59, 61, and 66 (1 case each). Conclusions: High-risk HPV genotypes were identified, suggesting a role of human papilloma virus in the etiology of a subgroup of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.