Human papillomavirus (HPV) in sinonasal papillomas: A study of 78 cases using in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

To determine the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the etiology of sinonasal papillomas, 57 inverted papillomas including 5 cases associated with carcinomas, 16 exophytic papillomas, and 5 cases of columnar cell papillomas were examined for the presence of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The genetic studies were performed on the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material. In only 6% of the 52 benign inverted papillomas was HPV DNA identified, whereas 69% of the exophytic papillomas were infected by HPV DNA. In none of the 5 cases with columnar cell papillomas could HPV be demonstrated. HPV 6/11 was identified in all of these HPV-positive cases. In the carcinoma area, HPV was detected in 2 (1 HPV 6/11 and 1 HPV 18) of the 5 inverted papillomas associated with carcinomas. The findings confirm the presence of HPV DNA in sinonasal papillomas. The results also indicate that HPV 6/11 may be involved in the pathogenesis of, solely, exophytic papillomas. We found that in situ hybridization and PCR seem equally sensitive in detecting HPV in sinonasal papillomas. © The American Laryngological, Rhinological & Otological Society, Inc.