HPV-Driven Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, there were approximately 930,000 new cases and 467,000 deaths from lip, oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx cancers combined. While tobacco and alcohol use remain significant risk factors, human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16, has emerged as a key driver of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Globally, HPV-positive OPSCC shows higher survival rates and better response to treatment than HPV-negative cases. However, data on HPV prevalence, genotype distribution, and prognostic impact in Saudi Arabia are scarce, leaving a critical knowledge gap for clinicians and policymakers. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC, particularly OPSCC, over a 10-year period (2015–2025) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC). Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens from approximately 200 confirmed HNSCC cases, including OPSCC, will be analyzed. The study will focus on detecting and genotyping high-risk HPV, correlating viral status with histopathological progression, and evaluating its prognostic impact on overall survival (OS).

This is one of the first comprehensive efforts in Saudi Arabia to investigate HPV in HNSCC. The findings will provide vital data on local HPV prevalence and genotypes, inform diagnostic practices, and guide public health strategies such as targeted screening and HPV vaccination programs. By clarifying HPV’s role in disease progression and survival outcomes, this study has the potential to improve patient management and contribute to cancer prevention initiatives in the region.