Biomarkers of HPV-driven head and neck cancer in Latin America and Europe

• Grant number: 17/04020-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2018
• End date: June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Epidemiology
• Agreement: EU-CELAC IG (former ERA.Net - LAC)
• Principal Investigator: Luisa Lina Villa
• Grantee: Luisa Lina Villa
• Principal researcher abroad: Mohssen Ansarin
• Institution abroad: European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Italy
• Principal researcher abroad: Marina Pollán
• Institution abroad: Institut de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Spain
• Principal researcher abroad: Carlos Arturo Castanera Altamirano
• Institution abroad: Universidad Científica del Sur, Peru
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Laura Cristina Sichero Vettorazzo ; Sandra Perdomo Velásquez ; Susanna Chiocca

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC), with an estimated global burden of approximately 700,000 incident cases and 380,000 deaths per year in 2012, has a high case fatality rate worldwide. Recent findings indicate that the incidence of HPV (Human papillomavirus)-driven HNC has been steadily increasing in the USA and some European countries. However, data from HPV prevalence in HNC is limited in Latin America. Mucosal high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs), in particular HPV16, are responsible for a subset of oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) that appears to be associated with a better prognosis and response to treatment in comparison to HPV negative cancers. However, significant differences in the proportion of HPV-positive HNC have been reported in different countries and the clinical relevance of such findings remains to be determined. Due to the potential clinical relevance of the characterization of HPV status in HNC, it is of paramount importance to identify biomarkers of HPV infection to facilitate early diagnosis and improve clinical management of these patients, as well as prediction of tumor recurrence and its impact on long-term survival. Epidemiological information on lifestyles and other HNC risk factors as well as clinical, pathological and treatment information has been collected following standardized protocols. Several tests will be performed in cancer and non-neoplastic tissues and blood, in order to identify novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HNC, namely HPV DNA, RNA and serum antibodies. Moreover, expression of additional cellular proteins and genomic markers will be explored. We will estimate HNC survival adjusting for potential confounders and including an interaction between age, sex and HPV status. For this purpose, this consortium consists of three European and three South American partners with a complementary and broad spectrum of expertise in molecular biology, virology, clinical oncology, head and neck surgery, pathology, epidemiology and public health. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SICHERO, LAURA; TAGLIABUE, MARTA; MOTA, GIANA; FERREIRA, SILVANEIDE; NUNES, RAFAELLA A. L.; CASTANEDA, CARLOS ARTURO; CASTILLO, MILUSKA; CORREA, RITA MARIEL; PERDOMO, SANDRA; RODRIGUEZ-URREGO, PAULA A.; et al. Biomarkers of human papillomavirus (HPV)-driven head and neck cancer in Latin America and Europe study: Study design and HPV DNA/p16(INK4a) status. HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, v. 44, n. 1, NOV 2021. (17/04020-7)