구강 편평세포암종, 백반증 및 유두종에서 Human Papillomavirus(HPV) 유형 16/18의 분포에 관한 면역조직화학적 연구

Immunohistochemical study on the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 in oral squamous cell carcinomas, leukoplakias and papillomas

There have been many reports on the etiological role of HPV in various oral diseases including carcinomas. Present study was performed to elucidate the distribution of HPV 16/18 in oral squamous cell carcinomas, leukoplakias and papillomas of Koreans. 24 cases of squamous cell carcinomas, 7 cases of leukoplakias and 6 cases of papillomas were reviewed through immunohistochemical staining using anti-HPV 16/18 E6 monoclonal antibody. Obtained results were as follows: 1. Positive reactions were observed in 6 cases out of 24 squamous cell carcinomas, Among the 6 positive cases 3 cases showed positive reaction both in the tumor cells and the adjacent epithelial cells, whereas the remaining 3 cases only in the adjacent epithelial cells. 2. 4 cases out of 7 leukoplakias reacted positively, all of which showed no dysplasia. 3. Positive stainings were observed in 4 cases out of 6 papillomas. These results confirm HPV involvement in oral papilloma, leukoplakia an squamous cell carcinoma, and support the hypothesis of HPV as an etiological agent in oral carcinogenesis. However, the frequency of positive reaction was much higher in benign lesions such as papillomas and leukoplakias, than in malignant lesions like squamous cell carcinomas. Therefore, HPV may be thought to be a co-factor in oral carcinogenesis together with chemical factor, rather than a single factor. And further studies will be needed to elucidate the role of HPV in oral carcinogenesis.