Unique Microbial Profile Identified in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancers

Introduction:

Introduction: The microbiome is hypothesized to have a significant impact on cancer development. Although the role of microbial dysbiosis in HPV-associated cervical cancer has been established, very little is known about the significance of the microbiome in HPV associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV+OPC). In this study, we characterize the full spectrum of the microbes present within HPV+OPC versus HPV negative OPC (HPV-).

Methods:

Methods: A microbiome bioinformatics pipeline that is generalizable across multiple next-generation sequencing platforms was developed. We identified 231 patients with oropharyngeal cancer with next-generation sequencing data from an institutional Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets assay and the Cancer Genomic Atlas group. Microbial profiles for alpha diversity and enrichment were generated for 2 distinct cohorts: (1) HPV+OPC (2) HPV- OPC. Microbiome differences among the two groups were identified.

Results:

Results: Compared with HPV- OPC, HPV+OPC had significantly decreased microbial Gini-Simpson alpha diversity (P =0.02). At the species level, Streptococcus was significantly more enriched in HPV+OPC compared to HPV- cancers (P < 0.05). At the genus level, Staphylococcus, Bradyrhizobium, Steptococcus and Gardnerella were more commonly found in HPV- OPC, although this was not statistically significant. HPV negative cancers showed a different microbial landscape, with various Acinobacter, Cutibacterium acnes, Methilobacterium, Nisseria Meningitidies species significantly enriched (p < 0.05). This enrichment was also consistent and significant at the genus level.

Conclusions:

Conclusion: Distinct patterns of microbial diversity and species enrichment were identified in patients with HPV+OPC. Given the varied spectrum of disease progression and treatment response of HPV+OPC, understanding unique microbial signatures will provide the landscape to explore key microbial targets for therapy.