TP53 promoter methylation in EBV and HPV associated oropharyngeal carcinoma – a pilot study

TP 53 promoter methylation was examined in frozen tumor tissue taken from patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma with EBV, HPV and co-infection EBV/HPV. This pilot study was performed on 48 patients. Initial studies indicate a high frequency of methylation in HPV-associated (57.1%) and EBV - associated OSCC (60%) cases, whilst the highest exists in co-infection HPV/EBV (75%). Future studies on a larger group of patients, of the mechanisms of co-infection and their role in oral squamous cell carcinoma, are necessary.