T32

We examined racial disparities among 102 oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) patients (30 African Americans, 72 Whites) comparing the present of HPV16/18 E6 and E7 oncoproteins, and p16Ink4A overexpression, with times to disease progression (DP) and disease specific survival (DSS). Expression of HPV16/18 transcripts was assessed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction using type-specific E6/E7 primers; p16Ink4A was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. African Americans were significantly more likely to present with high T stage disease and receive nonsurgical treatment. HPV16/18 was present in 63% of patients; no racial differences were observed. Silenced p16Ink4A in OPC was significantly more common in African Americans (15/24) than Whites (20/69) (p =0.004), and HPV16+African Americans (6/24) than HPV+Whites (2/42) (p =0.023). Kaplan Meier analysis for DSS revealed a protective effect for p16Ink4A overexpression (p =0.0028), HPV16+ (p =0.036), and Whites (p =0.0039). Shorter DSS was associated with primary definitive chemoradiation (p =0.019) and T3/T4 disease (p =0.0001). A protective effect with respect to disease progression was observed for HPV16+ (p =0.007), Whites (p =0.0006) and p16Ink4A overexpression (p =0.0001). African Americans with OPC experience poorer outcomes likely due to p16Ink4A silencing, higher T stage, and nonsurgical treatment, but not lower rates of transcriptionally active HPV16/18. We studied patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma...
Source: European Journal of Cancer Supplements - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research