Frequent HPV-independent p16/INK4A overexpression in head and neck cancer

RPPA data suggest high p16 protein expression in many HPV (−) non-oropharyngeal HNSCCs, limiting its potential utility as an HPV biomarker outside of the oropharynx. HPV-independent overexpression of wild-type p16 in non-oropharyngeal HNSCC may be linked to global deregulation of chromatin state by inactivating mutations in NSD1.