Key result
Merkel cell polyomavirus was detected more frequently in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas than in subjects without cancer (12.5% vs 1.8%; OR 7.571; 95% CI 1.192-81.46; p=0.0239).
Why the study?
The role of human polyomaviruses in epithelial tumors such as head and neck carcinomas has not been established.
Is the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas?
Case-Control (n=174)
Is the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas?
Odds Ratio: 7.571 (95% CI 1.192–81.46)
Absolute Event Rate: 12.5% vs 1.8%
p-value: p=0.0239
Merkel cell polyomavirus is significantly associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas in a Chilean cohort, suggesting a potential etiological role.
Background The role of human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) in epithelial tumors such as head and neck carcinomas (HNSCCs) including oral and oropharyngeal carcinomas has not been established. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), BK human polyomavirus (BKPyV), and JC human polyomavirus (JCPyV) in HNSCCs from Chilean subjects. Methods One hundred and twenty HNSCCs were analyzed for the presence of MCPyV, BKPyV and JCPyV using real-time polymerase chain reaction procedures. In addition, 54 oral brushes from age- and sex-paired subjects were analyzed. Results Of the total of 120 HNSCCs, 15 were positive for MCPyV (12.5%). Only one case was positive for BKPyV (0.8%) and none for JCPyV (0%). In subjects without cancer, only one case (1.8%) resulted positive for MCPyV and none for JCPyV and BKPyV. MCPyV was associated with HNSCCs (p = 0.0239; OR = 7.571; 95% CI: 1.192–81.46). No association was found between age (p = 0.1996), gender (p = 0.7111) or differentiation status (p > 0.9999) and MCPyV presence in HNSCCs. Conclusions MCPyVs were detected in HNSCCs from Chilean patients and were not detected in oral brushes from patients without cancer. More studies are warranted for defining an etiological role and clinical/molecular consequences of these viruses in HNSCCs.
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Muñoz et al. (2020) conducted a case-control in Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) (n=174). Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) vs. Subjects without cancer was evaluated on Presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) (OR 7.571, 95% CI 1.192-81.46, p=0.0239). Merkel cell polyomavirus was detected more frequently in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas than in subjects without cancer (12.5% vs 1.8%; OR 7.571; 95% CI 1.192-81.46; p=0.0239).
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