Combined treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and avelumab results in regression of metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and improvement of associated Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: A case report.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy arising from mechanoreceptors in the basal epidermis. Due to a pronounced risk of spread and a high propensity for recurrence after treatment, immediate treatment is of utmost importance. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a paraneoplastic phenomenon affecting the muscles with autoimmune pathophysiology, and >50% of known cases are associated with an underlying malignancy.

Analysis of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Polyomaviruses (HPyVs) in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (AdCC) of the Head and Neck Region Reveals Three HPV-Positive Cases with Adenoid Cystic-like Features.

An aetiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) and/or human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) has been proposed in adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC). Moreover, HPV-related multiphenotypic carcinoma (HMSC) was recently introduced as an emerging entity of the sinonasal region. Here, we primarily want to study the role of HPV/HPyV in a large AdCC cohort and, secondly, possibly identify and characterize HMSC.

Self-sampling for high-risk human papillomavirus as a follow-up alternative after treatment of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Women treated for high-grade cervical-intraepithelial-neoplasia (CIN) require long-term follow-up with high-risk human-papillomavirus (HPV) testing. Self-sampling for HPV is well-accepted among these patients, but its role in follow-up for this group requires investigation. The present study examined how well HPV findings from self-sampled vaginal (VSS) and urine specimens correctly identified women from this cohort with recurrent CIN2+ compared with samples collected by clinicians.

Tumour inflammation signature and expression of S100A12 and HLA class I improve survival in HPV-negative hypopharyngeal cancer.

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) has a very poor prognosis. Local surgery may increase survival, but is often avoided due to significant post-op co-morbidities. Since prognostic markers are lacking, the aim was to find predictive biomarkers that identify patients whose response to oncological treatment is poor and who may benefit from primary surgery to increase survival.

The value of p16 and HPV DNA in non-tonsillar, non-base of tongue oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is dominated by tonsillar and tongue base carcinomas (TSCC/BOTSCC), but there are carcinomas at other sites, such as uvula/soft palate/pharyngeal wall here defined as other OPSCC. Human papillomavirus (HPV) positive TSCC/BOTSCC have favorable outcome, and the TNM-classification separates OPSCC into HPV mediated (p16 overexpressing, p16+) and HPV unrelated OPSCC (p16 non-overexpressing, p16-) cancer, but the prognostic role of p16+ in other OPSCC is unclear.

Aims/objectives: This study therefore aimed to further investigate the prognostic role of p16+, presence of HPV DNA, or both combined in other OPSCC.

Immune related proteins and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes in hypopharyngeal cancer in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) and clinical outcome.

Background: Hypopharyngeal cancer (HPSCC) shows a poor clinical outcome, while HPSCC, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), presents a better outcome. Here, HPCC, immune proteins, and tumor infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes (CD8+ TILs) were evaluated in relation to HPV and outcome.

Methods: Fresh frozen tissue from four HPV-positive HPSCC, 39 HPV-negative HPSCC, and normal samples were analyzed for protein expression by the Proseek immuno-oncology immunoassay.

antitumor effects of FGFR and PI3K inhibitors on human papillomavirus positive and negative tonsillar and base of tongue cancer cell lines.

Human papillomavirus positive (HPV) tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) have better outcomes than corresponding HPV negative (HPV) cancer cases. Our previous study demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit a (PIK3CA) are often mutated in HPV cancer. To investigate whether targeted therapy is an option for TSCC/BOTSCC, two HPV and one HPV TSCC/BOTSCC cell lines were tested for their sensitivity towards FGFR and PI3K inhibitors.

Changes in Cervical Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevalence at a Youth Clinic in Stockholm, Sweden, a Decade After the Introduction of the HPV Vaccine.

This study aimed to follow the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) catch-up and vaccination on the very high cervical HPV-prevalence in women at a youth clinic in central Stockholm during the period 2008-2018. 2008-2010, cervical HPV-prevalence (69.5%) and HPV16 prevalence (34.

TLR5 and TLR7 are differentially expressed in human papillomavirus-positive and negative base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma, and TLR7 may have an independent prognostic influence.

Background: Human papillomavirus-positive (HPV) base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (BOTSCC) has a better outcome than corresponding HPV cancer. TLR5 and TLR7 expression was previously shown to differ depending on HPV - status and correlate with outcome in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aims/objectives: For validation, TLR5 and TLR7 were analyzed in a BOTSCC-cohort for correlation with HPV, survival, CD4 and CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts, the latter being a well-documented prognostic marker.

Changes in incidence and prevalence of human papillomavirus in tonsillar and base of tongue cancer during 2000-2016 in the Stockholm region and Sweden.

Background: Tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) has increased. In Stockholm, the proportion of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive cases and the incidence of TSCC rose between 1970 and 2006 then stabilized. Here, HPV-prevalence, and TSCC/BOTSCC incidence 2000-2016, in Stockholm and Sweden were followed.

Protein profiling of fine-needle aspirates reveals subtype-associated immune signatures and involvement of chemokines in breast cancer.

There are increasing demands for informative cancer biomarkers, accessible via minimally invasive procedures, both for initial diagnostics and for follow-up of personalized cancer therapy, including immunotherapy. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy provides ready access to relevant tissue samples; however, the minute amounts of sample require sensitive multiplex molecular analysis to be of clinical biomarker utility. We have applied proximity extension assays (PEA) to analyze 167 proteins in FNA samples from patients with breast cancer (BC; n = 25) and benign lesions (n = 32).

Overexpression of FGFR3 in HPV-positive Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Cancer Is Correlated to Outcome.

Background/aim: Human papillomavirus-positive (HPV) tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC/BOTSCC) have better outcome than corresponding HPV cancers. To better individualize treatment, additional predictive markers are needed. Previously, we have shown that mutated fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 protein (FGFR3) was correlated to poorer prognosis and here FGFR3 expression was further analyzed.

MicroRNA-155, -185 and -193b as biomarkers in human papillomavirus positive and negative tonsillar and base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: Three-year disease-free survival (DFS) is 80% for human papillomavirus (HPV) positive tonsillar and base of tongue cancer (TSCC/BOTSCC) treated with radiotherapy alone, and today's intensified therapy does not improve prognosis. More markers are therefore needed to more accurately identify patients with good prognosis or in need of alternative therapy. Here, microRNAs (miRs) 155, 185 and 193b were examined as potential prognostic markers in TSCC/BOTSCC.

Development and external validation of nomograms in oropharyngeal cancer patients with known HPV-DNA status: a European Multicentre Study (OroGrams).

Background: The proxy marker for human papillomavirus (HPV), p16, is included in the new AJCC 8th/UICC 8th staging system, but due to incongruence between p16 status and HPV infection, single biomarker evaluation could lead to misallocation of patients. We established nomograms for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and known HPV-DNA and p16 status, and validated the models in cohorts from high- and low-prevalent HPV countries.

Methods: Consecutive OPSCC patients treated in Denmark, 2000-2014 formed the development cohort.

Human Polyomaviruses Are Not Frequently Present in Cancer of the Salivary Glands.

Background/aim: Malignant tumors of the salivary glands are rare and heterogeneous, with more than 20 subtypes, and classified mainly by histopathology. Their diagnosis is often challenging and their etiology unknown. Here, the possible association between human polyomaviruses (PyVs) and one or more salivary gland tumor subtypes was examined.

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.

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.

Human Papillomavirus and Potentially Relevant Biomarkers in Tonsillar and Base of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tonsillar- and base of tongue cancer is increasing epidemically and has much better outcome than corresponding HPV-negative cancer and most other head and neck cancers with around 80% 3-year disease free survival with conventional radiotherapy and surgery. Consequently, most HPV-positive cancer patients may not require the intensified chemoradiotherapy given to many head and neck cancer patients and would, with tapered treatment, avoid several severe side-effects. Moreover, intensified therapy has not improved survival and treatment alternatives are needed.

ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Polyomaviridae.

The Polyomaviridae is a family of small, non-enveloped viruses with circular dsDNA genomes of approximately 5 kbp. The family includes four genera whose members have restricted host range, infecting mammals and birds. Polyomavirus genomes have also been detected recently in fish.

Multiplex detection in tonsillar tissue of all known human polyomaviruses.

Background: In the past few years, eleven new human viruses have joined the two previously known members JCPyV and BKPyV of the Polyomaviridae family, by virtue of molecular methods. Serology data suggest that infections with human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) occur since childhood and the viruses are widespread in the general population. However, the viral persistence sites and transmission routes are by and large unknown.

Targeted sequencing of tonsillar and base of tongue cancer and human papillomavirus positive unknown primary of the head and neck reveals prognostic effects of mutated FGFR3.

Background: Human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) tonsillar cancer (TSCC), base of tongue cancer (BOTSCC) and unknown primary cancer of the head and neck (HNCUP) have better outcome than corresponding HPV- cancers. To find predictive markers for response to treatment, and correlations and differences in mutated oncogenes and suppressor genes between HPV+ TSCC/BOTSSCC and HPV+ HNCUP and HPV- TSCC/BOTSCC targeted next-generation sequencing was performed of frequently mutated regions in 50 cancer related genes.

Patients And Methods: DNA from 348 TSCC/BOTSCC and 20 HNCUP from patients diagnosed 2000-2011, was sequenced by the Ion Proton sequencing platform using the Ion AmpliSeq Cancer Hotspot Panel v2 to identify frequently mutated regions in 50 cancer related genes.