Unique DNA methylation signature in HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) represent a heterogeneous group of cancers for which human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is an emerging risk factor. Previous studies showed promoter hypermethylation in HPV(+) oropharyngeal cancers, but only few consistent target genes have been so far described, and the evidence of a functional impact on gene expression is still limited.

Methods

We performed global and stratified pooled analyses of epigenome-wide data in HNSCCs based on the Illumina HumanMethylation450 bead-array data in order to identify tissue-specific components and common viral epigenetic targets in HPV-associated tumours.

Results

We identified novel differentially methylated CpGs and regions associated with viral infection that are in

SUBMITTER: Degli Esposti D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5382363 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature