PRESENCE OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS IN SQUAMOUS-CELL LARYNGEAL CARCINOMAS - A STUDY OF 39 CASES USING POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION AND IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has a well-established association with ben ign and malignant cervical tumours as well as with laryngeal papilloma s, while its association with laryngeal carcinomas is still controvers ial. We have examined 39 squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx for HP V using PCR with three consensus primers (Cp, My 09/11 and Gp 5+/6+). Specimens positive for consensus primers were examined with specific P CR primers for HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35 and with in situ hybri dization (ISH). Three samples (8%) were found HPV positive for two or three consensus primers. One case was confirmed to be HPV 16 with both PCR and ISH. The findings of both a punctate and diffuse signal with the use of ISH indicated HPV to be in both integrated and episomal for m. For the other two HPV positive specimens, the examination indicated a type related to HPV 6/11, but it could not be determined with certa inty. This study strongly indicates that HPV 16 is associated with som e squamous cell laryngeal carcinomas. The possibility of association w ith other HPV types or mutants of these needs further investigation.