Predictive Factors for Outcome and Quality of Life in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative HNSCC.

Infection with high-risk types of the human papilloma virus (HPV) is an etiological risk factor for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and associated with a better response to therapy and improved survival. A better understanding of the molecular principles underlying the differences in clinical behavior could pave the way to establish more effective and less toxic therapy for HPV-positive OPSCC and their HPV-negative counterparts. Compelling experimental evidence demonstrates that extensive global reprogramming of epigenetic profiles is as important as genetic mutations during neoplastic transformation and malignant progression, including HPV-positive OPSCC. In this chapter, the current knowledge on HPV-related alterations in DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromosome remodeling will be summarized and assessment of cancer-related profiles will be discussed as a valuable tool to gain important diagnostic or prognostic information for therapeutic decision-making and clinical management of HNSCC patients.