Known risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) include human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, alcohol, smoking and betel nut consumption. HPV serotype 16 was first identified in cases of HNSCC in 1985. Additional studies have since confirmed the oncogenic role of HPV in the development of HNSCC. Although the number of cigarette smokers declined over the past few decades, the incidence of HNSCC has remained constant or even increased in certain population. This has been attributed to increasing numbers of HPV related in HNSCC, particularly SCC of the oropharynx.
The detection of HPV in HNSCC is of clinical importance. HPV-positive HNSCCs have better clinical outcomes to HPV-negative HNSCC. This assay is a real time PCR assay targeting E6/E7 region of High Risk HPV (HrHPV), designed to detect episomal and integrated HrHPV virus . The assay detects hrHPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 52, also low risk HPV6 and HPV11 (causative agents for laryngeal papillomatosis).
HPV PCR