HPV infection and p53 and p16 expression in esophageal cancer: Are they prognostic factors?

Allini Mafra Da Costa*, José Humberto Tavares Guerreiro Fregnani, Paula Roberta Aguiar Pastrez, Vânia Sammartino Mariano, Estela Maria Silva, Cristovam Scapulatempo Neto, Denise Peixoto Guimarães, Luisa Lina Villa, Laura Sichero, Kari Juhani Syrjanen, Adhemar Longatto-Filho

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly lethal malignant tumor. Currently, Human papillomavirus (HPV) is suggested as a potential risk factor for esophageal cancer (EC) in addition to the classic risk factors, alcohol and tobacco, but this hypothesis still remains contradictory. We sought to investigate wether HPV and well-known biomarkers (p16 and p53) and patient-related factors that may have impact on survival of ESCC. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study. By using multiplex PCR, we determined the prevalence of high risk HPV in ESCC, and evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of p16 and p53, molecular markers related to esophageal carcinogenesis in order to verify the potential influence of these variables in patients's survival. Survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. A multivariate confirmatory model was performed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Twelve (13.8%) of 87 patients were HPV-DNA positive. Positive reactions of p16 and p53 were 10.7% and 68.6%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that men (p = 0.025) had poor specific-cancer survival and a shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.050) as compared to women; III or IV clinical stage (p < 0.019) had poor specific-cancer survival and a shorter progression-free survival (p < 0.001) compared to I and II clinical stage; not submitted to surgery (<0.001) and not submitted to chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.039) had a poor specific-cancer survival, as well. The multivariate analysis showed that HPV, p16 and p53 status are not predictive parameters of progression-free and specific-cancer survival. Conclusion: HPV infection and p53 and p16 expression are not prognostic factors in ESCC.

Original languageEnglish
Article number54
JournalInfectious Agents and Cancer
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 13 Oct 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Esophageal cancer
  • Human Papillomavirus
  • Survival

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