Expression of CK7, CK19 and p16 in HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) mediated by human papilloma virus (HPV) has been steadily increasing worldwide. The specific pathogenesis of HPV-mediated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) usually induces carcinogenesis in the oropharynx and the roles of CK7, CK19 and p16 in the carcinogenesis mechanism of HPV-mediated OPSCC still remain uncertain. Methods: We collected case data and paraffin samples of 69 cases of OPSCC and 40 cases of OSCC from July 2009 to December 2021. Immunohistochemistry was performed on serial paraffin sections from all cases to analyze the expression patterns of CK7, CK19, and p16. HPV-mediated (p16+) and non-HPV-mediated OPSCC were differentiated based on p16 expression. Three to six fields were selected from each case for observation of the expression intensity, localization, and interrelationship of the three proteins. Results: In both cancerous nests and pericancerous normal epithelium of OPSCC, various expression combinations of CK7, CK19 and p16 were observed, including CK7+CK19+p16+, CK7-CK19+p16+, and CK7+CK19+p16-, while no expression of CK7+CK19-p16+ was found. The expression of CK7 with CK19, CK7 with p16, and CK19 with p16 all showed consistency in OPSCC (P < 0.05) while only the expression of CK7 and CK19 demonstrated consistency in OSCC (P < 0.05). The positive rates and H-scores for CK7/CK19 in HPV-mediated (p16+) OPSCC were significantly higher than those in non-HPV-mediated OPSCC and OSCC (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that CK7, CK19 and p16 may relate to HPV-mediated OPSCC. The interaction of CK7, CK19 and p16 may affect the development of HPV-mediated OPSCC.