European multicenter study investigating the influence of human pathogenic viruses (HPV and EBV) on the metastasis behavior in patients with sinunasal squamous cell carcinoma

Introduction:

Sinusoidal squamous cell carcinoma is an extremely rare tumor entity with 3% of all head and neck tumors. In addition, no clear risk factors for the development of tumors have yet been demonstrated, with human-pathogenic viruses becoming more and more in the spotlight.

Material and methods:

To date, 33 European centers with approximately 1500 cases have been included in the retrospective multicenter study. Here, the tumor tissue of the first 200 patients was examined immunohistologically for the expression of the EBV-specific antigen LMP-1 and the surrogate marker for HPV p16. In addition, in situ hybridizations to EBV and HPV were performed on the tissues. Only cases showing positive results in both methods were decleared HPV and EBV positiv.

Results:

HPV positive cases were found in approximately 44% of cases, while EBV was positive in 12%. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the clinical data of metastasizing behavior and the presence of viral infection.

Summary:

We hope to derive a therapy recommendation for sinunasal carcinomas by evaluating this European collective.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)