HPV16 transmission between a couple with HPV-related head and neck cancer

Robert Haddad, Christopher Crum, Zigui Chen, Jeffrey Krane, Marshall Posner, Yi Li, Robert Burk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is closely linked to tobacco and alcohol use, there is an increasing incidence HPV16-related SCCHN arising in the oropharynx. The mechanisms of viral transmission, carcinogenesis and natural history are not well understood. Here, we report a couple-husband and wife diagnosed synchronously with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck wherein the tumors were positive for HPV16 by PCR diagnosis. Both viral genomes were genetically identical and closely related to the revised European prototype, HPV16R. An uncommon signal variant nucleotide was identified in both genomes that is not present in the HPV16R. These tumors likely represent transmission between the couple.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)812-815
Number of pages4
JournalOral Oncology
Volume44
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2008

Keywords

  • Head and neck cancer
  • Human papillomavirus 16

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oral Surgery
  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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