Investigation of the Role of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a recognised cause of some head and neck cancers. Important questions remain however, regarding the role of specific types of HPV, their effect on prognosis and different subtypes of oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, interaction with other risk factors (such as smoking and alcohol), and potential geographical differences in the effect of HPV.

Via the Alcohol-Related Cancers and Genetic Susceptibility in Europe (ARCAGE) study, which is an international collaboartive case-control study conducted in 15 centres in 11 European countries, and pooling our results with the HPV-AHEAD consortium, we will conduct a systematic analysis of HPV subtypes known or suspected to be involved in head and neck cancer. This will involve investigation of HPV risk by tumour site (oral, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx), tumour stage, country, sex and age, and whether risk is modified by exposure to other known or suspected carcinogens including tobacco, alcohol and medical history.

It is intended that this work will contribute to the development of evidence that may feed into treatment protocols for these cancers as well as evaluations of the feasibility for extending HPV vaccine programs.