Linnea Haeggblom

CD8+ and CD4+ tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in relation to human papillomavirus status and clinical outcome in tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC and BOTSCC, respectively) have a better clinical outcome than those with HPV negative tumours, irrespective of treatment. However, to better individualise treatment, additional biomarkers are needed together with HPV status. In a pilot study, we showed that high numbers of CD8(+) tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in HPVDNA+ p16(INK4a+) TSCC indicated a better outcome. Here this study was extended. Totally 203 TSCC and 77 BOTSCC formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumour biopsies, earlier tested for HPV DNA (79% HPVDNA+) and p16(INK4a) from patients treated with curative intention, were analysed for CD8(+) and CD4(+) TILs by immunohistochemistry. Data obtained for 275 patients were correlated to HPVDNA and p16(INK4a) status, overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). In both HPVDNA+ and HPVDNA+ p16(INK4a+) tumours higher CD8(+) TIL counts correlated to a better 3-year OS (logrank test, both p<0.001) and 3-year DFS (logrank test, p = 0.003 and p = 0.004 respectively) as compared to the lowest quartile in the groups. A similar pattern was observed when analysing TSCC alone, while for BOTSCC significance was obtained only for 3-year OS. In HPVDNA- tumours the trend was similar, but significance was obtained again only for 3-year OS. The number of CD4(+) TILs did not generally correlate to survival. In conclusion, in HPVDNA+ and/or HPVDNA+ p16(INK4a+) tumours high CD8(+) TIL counts indicated a better 3-year OS. This suggests that high CD8(+) TIL counts together with HPVDNA+ or HPVDNA+ p16(INK4a+) could be used when selecting patients for more individualised treatment.

Oral human papillomavirus prevalence in high school students of one municipality in Sweden

Abstract The rise in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been suggested to be responsible for the increased incidence of oropharyngeal cancer in the Western world. This has boosted interest in oral HPV prevalence and whether HPV vaccines can prevent oral HPV infection. In a previous study we showed oral HPV prevalence to be almost 10% in youth aged 15–23 y attending a youth clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. However, this may not be a generalizable sample within the Swedish population. Therefore, mouthwashes were used to investigate oral HPV prevalence in 335 Swedish high school students aged 17–21 y (median age 18 y), from 1 municipality with 140,000 inhabitants. The presence of HPV DNA in the oral samples, as examined by a Luminex-based assay, was significantly lower in this cohort, only 1.8% (3.1% in females and 0.6% in males), as compared to our previous study.

A model for predicting clinical outcome in patients with human papillomavirus-positive tonsillar and base of tongue cancer.

AIM To combine clinical and molecular markers into an algorithm for predicting outcome for individual patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA/p16(INK4a) positive tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC and BOTSCC). BACKGROUND Head-neck cancer treatment has become more intensified, comprising not only surgery and radiotherapy, but also induction/concomitant chemotherapy and targeted therapy. With less treatment, 3-year disease free survival (DFS) is 80% for HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC. An 85-100% 3-year DFS is observed for HPV(+) TSCC and BOTSCC with absence of HLA class I, or CD44 expression, or high CD8(+) tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts suggesting that therapy could be tapered for many if patients could be identified individually. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients treated curatively, with HPV DNA/p16(INK4a) positive tumours examined for HLA class I and II, CD44 and CD8(+)TILs, were included. An L1-regularised logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of the biomarker data, age, stage, diagnosis, smoking and treatment on 3-year risk of death or relapse on a training cohort of 197 patients diagnosed 2000-2007 and validated on a cohort of 118 patients diagnosed 2008-2011. RESULTS The variables finally included in the model were HLA class I, CD8(+) TILs, age, stage and diagnosis (TSCC or BOTSCC). The model showed acceptable discrimination and calibration. The discriminative ability of the model did not diminish after validation (AUC=0.77). CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first model to utilise information from several markers to predict an individual probability of clinical outcome for patients with HPV DNA/p16(INK4a) positive tumours.

Correlation of LMP10 Expression and Clinical Outcome in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Positive and HPV-Negative Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer

Aim To examine LMP10 expression and its possible impact on clinical outcome in human papillomavirus (HPV) positive and HPV-negative tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC and BOTSCC). Background Outcome is better in HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC compared to matching HPV-negative tumours, with roughly 80% vs. 40% 5-year disease free survival (DFS) with less aggressive treatment than today’s chemoradiotherapy. Since current treatment often results in harmful side effects, less intensive therapy, with sustained patient survival would be an attractive alternative. However, other markers together with HPV status are necessary to select patients and for this purpose LMP10 expression is investigated here in parallel to HPV status and clinical outcome. Materials and Methods From 385 patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2007 at the Karolinska University Hospital, 278 formalin fixed paraffin embedded TSCC and BOTSCC biopsies, with known HPV DNA status, were tested for LMP10 nuclear and cytoplasmic expression (fraction of positive cells and staining intensity). The data was then correlated to clinical outcome. Results An absent/low compared to a moderate/high LMP10 nuclear fraction of positive cells was correlated to a better 3-year DFS in the HPV-positive group of patients (log-rank p = 0.005), but not in the HPV-negative group. In the HPV-negative group of patients, in contrast to the HPV-positive group, moderate/high LMP10 cytoplasmic fraction and weak/moderate/high LMP10 cytoplasmic intensity correlated to a better 3-year DFS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001) and 3-year overall survival (p = 0.001 and 0.009). Conclusion LMP10 nuclear expression in the HPV-positive group and LMP10 cytoplasmic expression in the HPV-negative group of patients correlated to better clinical outcome.

Reduced Expression of the Antigen Processing Machinery Components TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7 in Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer and Implications for Clinical Outcome

OBJECTIVES: Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (BOTSCC) have a better clinical outcome than those with corresponding HPV-negative tumors. Moreover, there is a strong positive correlation between absent/low as opposed to strong HLA class I expression and favorable clinical outcome for HPV-positive tumors, while the reverse applies to HPV-negative tumors. The expression of the antigen processing machinery (APM) components TAP1, TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7 in these tumors in relation to HPV status, HLA class I expression, each other, and clinical outcome was therefore investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded TSCC and BOTSCC, derived from 151 patients and previously analyzed for HPV DNA, HLA class I, and LMP10 expression were stained by immunohistochemistry for TAP1, TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7. RESULTS: Absent/low TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7 expression, similar to HLA class I and LMP10, was common in TSCC and BOTSCC, irrespective of HPV status. Expression of TAP1 and TAP2 was correlated, as was LMP2 to LMP7. LMP2 and LMP7 expression was also associated to HLA class I expression. Moreover, absence of LMP7 was linked to increased disease-free survival in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative cases. CONCLUSION: Reduced expression of TAP2, LMP2, and LMP7 was frequent in TSCC and BOTSCC and their expression as well as that of TAP1 was often interrelated. Furthermore, low LMP7 expression correlated to better clinical outcome and may, together with HPV status, potentially be used for prediction of treatment response.

Time to change perspectives on HPV in oropharyngeal cancer. A systematic review of HPV prevalence per oropharyngeal sub-site the last 3 years

Objectives Human papillomavirus (HPV) as a risk factor in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is well established. However, accumulating data imply that the OPSCC concept is too unspecific with regard to HPV prevalence and clinical importance. To further study the role of HPV in OPSCC by sub-site, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Material and method PubMed was searched and all studies reporting HPV data (p16/HPV DNA/RNA) in both “lymphoepithelial associated” (i.e. tonsillar and base of tongue cancer; TSCC and BOTSCC respectively) and “non-lymphoepithelial” (“other” OPSCC) OPSCC were included. Pooled odds ratios by HPV detection method were analysed using a random effects model. Results In total, 58 unique patient cohorts were identified. Total HPV prevalence in TSCC/BOTSCC was 56%, 95%CI: 55–57% (59%, 95%CI: 58–60% for TSCC only) as compared to 19%, 95%CI: 17–20%, in “other” OPSCC. Significant association of HPV to TSCC/BOTSCC vs. “other” OPSCC was observed no matter HPV detection method used, but statistical homogeneity was only observed when studies using algorithm based HPV detection were pooled. Conclusion HPV prevalence differs markedly between OPSCC sub-sites and while the role of HPV in TSCC/BOTSCC is strong, the role in “other” OPSCC is more uncertain and needs further evaluation.

A model using concomitant markers for predicting outcome in human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVE Head-neck cancer therapy has become intensified. With radiotherapy alone, 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) is 80% for HPV-positive TSCC/BOTSCC and better for patients with favorable characteristics, suggesting therapy could be tapered for some, decreasing side-effects. Therefore, we built a model to predict progression-free survival for patients with HPV-positive TSCC and BOTSCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS TSCC/BOTSCC patients treated curatively between 2000 and 2011, with HPV16 DNA/E7 mRNA positive tumors examined for CD8+ TILs, HPV16 mRNA and HLA class I expression were included. Patients were split randomly 65/35 into training and validation sets, and LASSO regression was used to select a model in the training set, the performance of which was evaluated in the validation set. RESULTS 258 patients with HPV DNA/E7 mRNA positive tumors could be included, 168 and 90 patients in the respective sets. No treatment improved prognosis compared to radiotherapy alone. CD8+ TIL counts and young age were the strongest predictors of survival, followed by T-stage <3 and presence of HPV16 E2 mRNA. The model had an area under curve (AUC) of 76%. A model where the presence of three of four of these markers defined good prognosis captured 56% of non-relapsing patients with a positive predictive value of 98% in the validation set. Furthermore, the model identified 35% of our cohort that was overtreated and could safely have received de-escalated therapy. CONCLUSION CD8+ TIL counts, age, T-stage and E2 expression could predict progression-free survival, identifying patients eligible for randomized trials with milder treatment, potentially reducing side effects without worsening prognosis.

Human papillomavirus DNA detection in fine-needle aspirates as indicator of human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: A prospective study.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has a better outcome than most head neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) and an HPV‐positive lymph node metastasis likely has an HPV‐positive oropharyngeal SCC origin. Determining HPV‐status in cervical lymph nodes by fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may be useful for diagnosis.

Doxorubicin-provoked increase of mitotic activity and concomitant drain of G0-pool in therapy-resistant BE(2)-C neuroblastoma

In this study chemotherapy response in neuroblastoma (NB) was assessed for the first time in a transplantation model comprising non-malignant human embryonic microenvironment of pluripotent stem cell teratoma (PSCT) derived from diploid bona fide hESC. Two NB cell lines with known high-risk phenotypes; the multi-resistant BE(2)-C and the drug sensitive IMR-32, were transplanted to the PSCT model and the tumour growth was exposed to single or repeated treatments with doxorubicin, and thereafter evaluated for cell death, apoptosis, and proliferation. Dose dependent cytotoxic effects were observed, this way corroborating the experimental platform for this type of analysis. Notably, analysis of doxorubicin-resilient BE(2)-C growth in the PSCT model revealed an unexpected 1,5-fold increase in Ki67-index (p<0.05), indicating that non-cycling (G0) cells entered the cell cycle following the doxorubicin exposure. Support for this notion was obtained also in vitro. A pharmacologically relevant dose (1μM) resulted in a marked accumulation of Ki67 positive BE(2)-C cells (p<0.0001), as well as a >3-fold increase in active cell cycle (i.e. cells positive staining for PH3 together with incorporation of EdU) (p<0.01). Considering the clinical challenge for treating high-risk NB, the discovery of a therapy-provoked growth-stimulating effect in the multi-resistant and p53-mutated BE(2)-C cell line, but not in the drug-sensitive p53wt IMR-32 cell line, warrants further studies concerning generality and clinical significance of this new observation.

Protein Expression in Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer and in Relation to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Clinical Outcome

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a major etiological factor for tonsillar and the base of tongue cancer (TSCC/BOTSCC). HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC present major differences in mutations, mRNA expression and clinical outcome. Earlier protein studies on TSCC/BOTSCC have mainly analyzed individual proteins. Here, the aim was to compare a larger set of cancer and immune related proteins in HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC in relation to normal tissue, presence of HPV, and clinical outcome. Fresh frozen tissue from 42 HPV-positive and 17 HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC, and corresponding normal samples, were analyzed for expression of 167 proteins using two Olink multiplex immunoassays. Major differences in protein expression between TSCC/BOTSCC and normal tissue were identified, especially in chemo- and cytokines. Moreover, 34 proteins, mainly immunoregulatory proteins and chemokines, were differently expressed in HPV-positive vs HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC. Several proteins were potentially related to clinical outcome for HPV-positive or HPV-negative tumors. For HPV-positive tumors, these were mostly related to angiogenesis and hypoxia. Correlation with clinical outcome of one of these, VEGFA, was validated by immunohistochemistry. Differences in immune related proteins between HPV-positive and HPV-negative TSCC/BOTSCC reflect the stronger activity of the immune defense in the former. Angiogenesis related proteins might serve as potential targets for therapy in HPV-positive TSCC/BOTSCC.