Human and HPV genes combine to form extrachromosomal DNA that promotes oropharyngeal tumor growth, study reveals

Human and HPV genes combine to form extrachromosomal DNA that promotes oropharyngeal tumor growth, study reveals

The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)–associated oropharyngeal cancers—tumors of the back of the mouth and throat—is rising. If caught early, most of these cancers have a high survival rate, but about 20% of patients have a poor prognosis.

Starting next month, the cytopathological exam known as Papanicolau will begin to be replaced in the SUS (Unified Health System) by the molecular test RT-PCR, a new DNA analysis technology. Read more (04/18/2025)

Health Canada-approved therapies: HPV

Human and HPV Genes Combine to Form Extrachromosomal DNA That Promotes Oropharyngeal Tumor Growth

The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancers — tumors of the back of the mouth and throat — is rising. If caught early, most of these cancers have a high survival rate, but about 20% of patients have a poor prognosis. Now, researchers from UC San Diego and their colleagues have found that HPV DNA hybridizes with human DNA genes in oropharyngeal cancer cells, forming extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA) that promot