結論
本研究顯示被E6誘發的IL-10會促進陽性HPV口腔鱗狀細胞癌的細胞生長和轉移能力增加，進而導致其預後變差及復發。
Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a risk factor in a subset of oropharyngeal cancer; however, the contribution of HPV in the malignancy of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) is not fully understood in Taiwanese.
Materials and methods
Herein, OSCC tumor specimens were collected between 2001 and 2010 from 178 patients with primary oral cancers. 61 patients with no risk factors and 117 patients with one or more risk factors were enrolled in this study. HPV16/18 DNA, interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA and p16 protein were determined by nested-PCR, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The prognostic value of IL-10 mRNA on OS and RFS was evaluated by Kaplain-Meier and Cox-regression models.
Results
HPV16/18 infection rate in non-smokers, non-drinkers and non-betel quid chewers was higher than their counterparts. The development of HPV-infected cancer has been shown to be associated with IL-10 expression. To this end, IL-10 mRNA expression in OSCC tumors was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Data showed that HPV-positive patients had higher IL-10 mRNA levels than in HPV-negative patients. Kaplan-Meier and Cox-regression analysis indicated that the prognostic significance of IL-10 mRNA on overall survival and relapse free survival was only observed in HPV-positive OSCC, but not in HPV-negative OSCC. Mechanistically, the elevation of IL-10 by E6 was responsible for increased colony formation and migration capability in OSCC cells.
Conclusions
We suggest that IL-10 induced by E6 promotes cell growth, migration capability, consequent poor survival and relapse in HPV-positive OSCC.
