Human papilloma virus in head and neck squamous cell cancer

Epidemiologic and molecular evidences have established a strong link between high risk types of Human Papilloma Virus and a subgroup of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas [HNSCC]. We evaluated the frequency of HPV positivity in HNSCC and its relationship to demographic and some risk factor variables in an open casecontrol study. Fourteen recently diagnosed patients with squamous cell cancer of oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx aged 18-50 years were examined from 2008-2010 in Tabriz, Iran. HPV DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded blocks of each patient's sample for PCR evaluation. Saliva samples of 94 control cancer-free subjects were collected for DNA analysis. Multivariable logistic regression method was used to calculate odds ratio for case-control comparisons. High risk HPV was detected in 6[42.8%] patients, and 6[5.3%] control subjects which was statistically significant [p<0.0001]. HPV-18 was the most frequent type both in the cases and controls. HPV-16 DNA was detected in two patients of the case group, but it was not detected in any of the controls. The relation between demographic and risk factor variables was not statistically significant. HPV infection has a significant impact on HNSCC. Despite HPV-16 stronger impact, HPV-18 is more likely to cause malignant degeneration in such cancers amongst some communities. It is vital to introduce and conduct immunization schedules in health care systems to protect communities to some extent

[Effects of clinical, hematological and immuno-phenotyping factors on prognosis of acute pro myelocytic leukemia]

Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, APL, belongs to the group of acute myeloid leukemias. It is distinguished from other types of leukemia by distinct cell morphology, immuno-phenotyping characteristics, coagulopathy and different treatment modalities. The aim of this study was evaluation of the effects of cytologic, clinical and biologic factors specially CD34 expression in determining prognosis in patients with APL. In a descriptive retrospective analysis files of 60 patients with APL were reviewed and data statistically analyzed using SPSS soft ware with Chi Square and T- test. Complete remission and disease free survival [DFS] had no significant correlation with age, sex, WBC, Hemoglobin level, platelet count, purpura, CD34 status, and percentage of blasts in the bone marrow. There was no statistically significant correlation between CD34 expression with morphology, age, sex, WBC, platelet count, percentage of BM blasts and purpura. Cases with CD34 expression had severe anemia, [Hemoglobin=5.8 +/- 1.08], in comparison with patients with CD34 negative APL, [p=0.02]. Results of our study were not concordant with the literature, as recognized prognostic factors had no significant effect on the prognosis of our patients; therefore it is logical to believe that factors influencing the prognosis of APL in Iranian patients may be different. Failure in obtaining complete remission in all 4 patients with CD34+ APL indicates that presence of CD34+ may have been the cause of poor prognosis in these patients. Further studies are necessary to confirm this observation