Characterizing Human Papillomavirus Associated Oral Epithelial Dysplasia
Abstract
The role of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is well documented in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and cervical cancer. Although a subset of oral dysplastic lesions have been associated to HPV infection as well, there is currently limited data characterizing these lesions. We identified HPV-associated oral epithelial dysplasia (HPV-OED) through screening for histopathological features of HPV and p16INK4a immunoreactivity. Transcriptionally active infections were confirmed by performing RT-qPCR to identify E6 mRNA expression. We identified 82 cases of confirmed HPV-OED that showed a strong predilection for male patients and anatomical sites such as floor of mouth and ventral tongue. This group had a median age of 56.1 years. The utility of E6 immunohistochemistry was tested as a diagnostic marker and was deemed inconclusive. Interestingly, there was significant recurrence of lesions in our population (18%) and infrequent progression to malignancy (<1%).