Inverse Relationship between Human Papillomavirus-16 Infection and Disruptivep53Gene Mutations in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Although HPV16 and mutated p53 may coexist in a subset of HNSCCs, HPV16 and disruptive p53 mutations seem to be nonoverlapping events. A less calamitous genetic profile, including the absence of disruptive p53 mutations, may underlie the emerging clinical profile of HPV16-positive HNSCC such as improved patient outcome.