Human papillomavirus-active head and neck cancer and ethnic health disparities.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives/hypothesis

Mortality for black males with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is twice that of white males or females. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-active HNSCC, defined by the concurrent presence of high-risk type HPV DNA and host cell p16(INK4a) expression, is associated with decreased mortality. We hypothesized that prevalence of this HPV-active disease class would be lower in black HNSCC patients compared to white patients.

Study design

Multi-institutional retrospective cohort analysis.

Methods

Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate for high-risk HPV DNA presence. Immunohistochemistry for p16(INK4a) protein was used as a surrogate marker for HPV oncoprotein activity. Patients were classified as HPV-negative (HPV DNA-negative, p

SUBMITTER: Weinberger PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3051373 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature