Evaluation and application of a broad-spectrum polymerase chain reaction assay for human papillomaviruses in the screening of squamous cell tumours of the head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: The results of studies analysing the prevalence of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region often vary depending on the different molecular biological methods applied. Focusing on the histomorphological criteria of HPV infections, the percentage of HPV-positive cancers should be higher than has been found in most studies. The aim of this study was to increase the detection spectrum of HPV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening using degenerate consensus primers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: To increase the sensitivity of the assay to one copy of HPV DNA per cell, a two-step PCR was carried out. The products were directly sequenced by means of a cycle sequencing approach. Seventy biopsies from squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract were screened using the primer system.

RESULTS: According to the PCR results, 0/2 carcinomas of the floor of the mouth or tongue, 7/16 biopsies of oropharyngeal cancers, 3/13 hypopharyngeal cancers, 13/34 squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx, 4/4 biopsies from carcinomas of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses and 1/1 squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland were positive.

CONCLUSION: This broad-spectrum PCR can effectively detect HPV in head and neck cancers.