Human papillomavirus status and gene expression profiles of oropharyngeal and oral cancers from European American and African American patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Disparities in prevalence, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and mortality rates for head and neck cancer have been described between African American and European American patients.

Methods

We studied the HPV status and gene expression profiles in 56 oropharyngeal/oral cavity tumors and 9 normal tissue samples from European American and African American patients treated in South Carolina between 2010 and 2012.

Results

Overall, 59% of tumors were HPV DNA-positive, but only 48% of those expressed E7 mRNA (HPV-active). The prevalence of HPV-active tumors was 10% in African American patients and 39% in European American patients. Tumors positive for HPV DNA but negative for HPV mRNA exhibited gene expression profiles distinct from those of both HPV-active and

SUBMITTER: Tomar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4615317 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature