Evaluation of type-specific antibodies to high risk-human papillomavirus (HPV) proteins in patients with oropharyngeal cancer

Active infection with high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is an established risk factor for the development of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) [1,2–5]. Tumors with biologically active HR-HPV-infection (HR-HPV-attributable tumors) are known to have distinct biology and improved treatment response leading to better patient outcome [3,6–10]. The definition of an HR-HPV-attributable cancer is still a matter of debate. It is based on the detection of HR-HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or in situ hybridization (ISH), overexpression of the cell-cycle regulator p16INK4A as a surrogate marker [11], or a combination of these methods.

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