Related Pages Search for Clinical Trials 1 NCI's PDQ® Cancer Clinical Trials Registry. Head and Neck Cancer Home Page 2 NCI's gateway for information about head and neck cancer. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cancer: Q & A 3 A fact sheet about the link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cancer.

Adapted from the NCI Cancer Bulletin, vol. 4/no. 17, May 15, 2007 (see the current issue ⁴).

The investigators enrolled 100 patients with newly diagnosed oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 200 control patients in the study. Oral-mucosal and serum samples were collected from all patients. Tumor samples were also collected from case patients. The investigators analyzed all collected samples for presence of HPV DNA or antibodies that would indicate prior exposure. Personal and medical history information collected included oral hygiene history, sexual history, and lifetime use of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol.

Researchers found that "the presence of an oral HPV 16 infection was strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancer." HPV 16 is one of the two strains of HPV most often associated with cervical cancer. Past exposure to HPV 16, as measured by presence of antibodies to the virus in serum samples, was also strongly associated with oropharyngeal cancer. Antibodies against HPV 16 were found in 64 percent of case patients but only 4 percent of control patients. Data collected on sexual history "suggest that oral HPV infection is sexually acquired…but we cannot rule out transmission through direct mouth-to-mouth contact or other means," said the authors.

A history of heavy tobacco and alcohol use remained a strong risk factor, but "combined exposure to HPV and heavy tobacco and alcohol use was not additive," they explained. "It is important for health care providers to know that people without the traditional risk factors of tobacco and alcohol use can nevertheless be at risk for oropharyngeal cancer," stated first author Dr. Gypsyamber D'Souza in an accompanying press release.

Glossary Terms

A protein made by plasma cells (a type of white blood cell) in response to an antigen (a substance that causes the body to make a specific immune response). Each antibody can bind to only one specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen.

A study that compares two groups of people: those with the disease or condition under study (cases) and a very similar group of people who do not have the disease or condition (controls). Researchers study the medical and lifestyle histories of the people in each group to learn what factors may be associated with the disease or condition. For example, one group may have been exposed to a particular substance that the other was not. Also called retrospective study.

The molecules inside cells that carry genetic information and pass it from one generation to the next. Also called deoxyribonucleic acid.

The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.

A type of virus that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, warts) and other changes to cells. Infection for a long time with certain types of HPV may cause cervical cancer. HPV may also play a role in some other types of cancer. Also called human papillomavirus.