Laryngeal Cancer, HPV DNA vs E6/E7 mRNA Test: A Systematic Review

SummaryObjectiveThe reported range of involvement of human papillomavirus (HPV) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is wide because of the methods used to detect HPV.Data SourcesA computerized Medline study was carried out using the following as key words: “Papillomavirus Infections”[Mesh] and “Laryngeal Neoplasms”[Mesh].Materials and MethodsStudies that were included were written in English and reported results of HPV DNA with RNA in laryngeal SCC.ResultsThere were six reported HPV mRNA extraction. Among these studies, Lewis et al reported that out of the 31 cases analyzed, only 2 were HPV DNA+ and of these only 1 was mRNA HPV+ (3%). Halec et al reported 102 cases of which 32 were HPV DNA+ cases and of which only 6 were mRNA+ (5%). Chernock et al reported 76 cases of which 13 were HPV DNA+ cases and of which 4 were mRNA+ (5%). Masand et al reported 8 cases of which 1 was HPV DNA+ case and none was mRNA+. Gheit et al reported 43 cases of which 4 were HPV DNA+ cases and of which 2 were mRNA+ (4%). Castellsagné et al reported 1042 cases of which 59 were HPV DNA+ case and of which 51 were mRNA+ (4.8%)ConclusionsWhen determining the role of HPV in laryngeal SCC, evidence of HPV DNA warrants further examination for E6/E7 mRNA as simple assays such as p16 are nonspecific in laryngeal SCC. Further studies of HPV and its role in laryngeal SCC are warranted.