@article{mbs:/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.001069, author = "Emmett, Sarah and Boros, Samuel and Whiteman, David C. and Porceddu, Sandro V. and Panizza, Benedict J. and Antonsson, Annika", title = "Sexual behaviour, HPV status and p16INK4a expression in oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas: a case–case comparison study", journal= "Journal of General Virology", year = "2018", volume = "99", number = "6", pages = "783-789", doi = "https://doi.org/10.1099/jgv.0.001069", url = "https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.001069", publisher = "Microbiology Society", issn = "1465-2099", type = "Journal Article", keywords = "sexual behaviour", keywords = "oropharyngeal SCC", keywords = "p16", keywords = "oral sex", keywords = "oral cavity SCC", keywords = "human papillomavirus", abstract = "A significant proportion of mucosal squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC; particularly of the oropharynx) are directly attributable to the human papillomavirus (HPV). The increase in the incidence of HPV-related tumours has been postulated to be due to changing sexual practices in the community. We analysed 136 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded squamous cell carcinomas from the oral cavity (n=40) and oropharynx (n=96) recruited from the Princess Alexandra Hospital (Brisbane, Australia). Samples were analysed for the presence of HPV DNA using a combination of mucosal HPV general primer GP+ PCR and sequencing; p16INK4a expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Each patient completed a questionnaire detailing their lifestyle factors, such as tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, marital status, and sexual behaviour and history. The HPV DNA prevalence was 5 % in the oral cavity cancers and 72 % in the oropharyngeal cancers (P<0.0001). HPV-16 was the most commonly detected HPV type (found in 91 % of all HPV-positive tumours). There was a strong correlation between HPV DNA positivity and positive p16INK4a staining in oropharyngeal tumours (P<0.0001). Having an HPV-related tumour was associated with being married or having been married previously (P=0.046), an increasing number of passionate kissing partners (P=0.046), ever having given oral sex (P=0.0007) and an increasing number of oral sex partners (P=0.0015). This study found a higher prevalence of HPV in oropharyngeal compared to oral cavity tumours, with a strong association being identified between oral sex behaviours and HPV-positive tumours. Further research is needed to establish that vaccines will reduce the transmission and carriage of oropharyngeal HPV infections.", }