There were a couple of very interesting papers published in December 2006, relating to HPV and head/neck cancer -- both in Journal of Clinical Oncology. One is an editorial by Dr. Gillison and the other a study by Dr. Licitra and her colleagues -- both deal with the difference in behavior and prognosis for HPV+ as opposed to HPV- tumors -- Licitra essentially looked at the biological mechanism for this difference and speculates on how this affects disease progression and patient outcome and also, research (as HPV+ and HPV- cancers could well be expected to respond differently in clinical trials). Gillison expands on this latter point in her editorial. She also suggests that staging and therapeutic approach may need to be modified for the two biologically different diseases. And that HPV status should be taken into account when clinical trials are designed.

Both papers have a great deal of information on HPV +SCC, and a number of citations worth following up on for those so inclined.

Gillison's editoral can be read at:
http://www.jco.org/cgi/content/full/24/36/5623

Licitra's paper is her #2 citation, and can be selected to read.

Gail