Human papillomavirus association with head and neck cancers: Understanding virus biology and using it in the development of cancer diagnostics

Abstract

The link between human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and human cervical cancers has long been established. However, HPVs are now being detected in another type of cancer not previously associated with this virus, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This review will focus on experimental data supporting the view that HPVs contribute to the etiology of a subset of HNSCC. The authors further put forth the argument that HPV-associated HNSCC deserves to be recognized as a distinct disease in the clinic and, as such, needs to be appropriately diagnosed. An overview of studies that have helped dissect the role of HPVs in HNSCC and that may be helpful in the development of new diagnostic tools for discriminating this type of HNSCC is provided. © 2008 Informa UK Ltd.