BackgroundGiven the paucity of data and widely variable rates that have been reported, the main objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of HPV-positivity in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in Middle Eastern patients presenting to one of the region’s largest tertiary care centers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the HPV E6/E7 oncogenes, a highly sensitive and specific method of detection.MethodsMedical charts and archived pathological specimens were obtained for patients diagnosed with biopsy proven oropharyngeal cancer who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 1972 and 2017. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded specimens and tested for 30 high-risk and low-risk papilloma viruses using the PCR-based EUROarray HPV kit (EuroImmun).ResultsA total of 57 patients with oropharyngeal cancer were initially identified; only 34 met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in the present study. Most patients were males (73.5%) from Lebanon (79.4%). The most common primary tumor site was in the base of tongue (50%), followed by the tonsil (41.2%). The majority of patients (85.3%) tested positive for HPV DNA.ConclusionThe prevalence of HPV-positivity amongst Middle Eastern OPSCC patients, specifically those from Lebanon, may be far greater than previously thought. The Lebanese population and other neighboring Middle Eastern countries may require a more vigilant approach towards HPV detection and awareness. On an international level, further research is required to better elucidate non-classical mechanisms of HPV exposure and transmission.

中文翻译：

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使用 E6/E7 PCR 在中东人群中的 HPV 相关口咽癌患病率

结果初步发现口咽癌患者57例；只有 34 人符合纳入/排除标准并被纳入本研究。大多数患者是来自黎巴嫩（79.4%）的男性（73.5%）。最常见的原发肿瘤部位是舌根（50%），其次是扁桃体（41.2%）。大多数患者 (85.3%) 的 HPV DNA 检测呈阳性。结论中东 OPSCC 患者，特别是黎巴嫩患者中 HPV 阳性的患病率可能远高于之前的预期。黎巴嫩人口和其他中东邻国可能需要对 HPV 检测和认识采取更加警惕的方法。在国际层面上，需要进一步研究以更好地阐明 HPV 暴露和传播的非经典机制。