Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas with E-cadherin Expression and Associated HPV18 infection

Introduction In this research we tried to identify HPV infection as an important head and neck cancer cause, even though it is already an oropharyngeal cancer cause, by evaluating E-cadherin expression. HPV positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) epithelial-mesenchymal transition role is still unclear.

Material and method In the study 38 cases of ENT cancers were included: 20 laryngeal, 3 corresponding lymph nodes; 5 oropharyngeal, 5 hypopharyngeal, 2 rhynopahryngeal, 2 pharyngolaryngeal and 1 naso-sinusal case. Immunoreactivity was positive in nuclear expression cells, accordingly: score 1 (10-30%), 2 (30-50%) and 3 (>50%). HPV18 immunoexpression appeared in 18 cases (47.36%), (11 laryngeal, 4 oropharyngeal, 1 hypopharyngeal, 1 pharyngolaryngeal and 1 naso-sinusal).

Results The score was 1 in larynx well differentiated type. The score was between 1 and 3 in larynx moderately differentiated types, and a significant correlation HPV18/E-cadherin was found (p=0.031). HPV18+/E-cadherin low values were noticed in larynx, oropharynx, pharyngo-larynx and naso-sinusal well and moderately differentiated types. HPV18-/E-cadherin low values were present in larynx, hypo and rhyno-pharynx moderately and poorly differentiated and larynx well differentiated types.

Conclusion Larynx presented HPV18/E-cadherin and moderately differentiated type significant correlation. Rhyno, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal presented HPV18–/E-cadherin low values association for moderately, poorly and undifferentiated types. The oropharyngeal location was associated with E-cadherin maximum values, independently of HPV18 status.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023