HPV18 Associated with E-cadherin Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

HPV is an important oropharyngeal cancer cause, but it may have a role in other head and neck cancers? HPVpositive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) epithelial-mesenchymal transition role is unclear. We included 38 cases: 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). 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. Larynx presented HPV18/E-cadherin and moderately differentiated type significant correlation. Rhyno, hypo-pharyngeal 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.