Tumor site and the prognosis and immunogenomics of HPV-related cancers

Association of tumor site with prognosis and immunogenomic landscape of HPV-related cancers

A retrospective cohort study using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas found that in OPSCC, but not in non-OP HNSCC or cervical SCC or endocervical adenocarcinoma, HPV-positivity was associated with greater immune activation markers and cytolytic activity compared with HPV-negativity. There were no significant differences in survival between HPV-positive and HPV-negative nonoropharyngeal cancers. The authors concluded that tumor site is associated with the immune landcscape and improved survival in HPV-positive oropharyngeal but not nonoropharyngeal tumors, providing a rationale for stratifying HPV-associated tumor by site.