Human Papillomavirus-Induced Chromosomal Instability and Aneuploidy in Squamous Cell Cancers

Samyukta Mallick; Yeseo Choi; Alison M Taylor; Pippa F Cosper

doi:10.3390/v16040501

Human Papillomavirus-Induced Chromosomal Instability and Aneuploidy in Squamous Cell Cancers

Viruses. 2024 Mar 25;16(4):501. doi: 10.3390/v16040501.

Authors

Samyukta Mallick^{1

2}, Yeseo Choi^{3

4}, Alison M Taylor¹, Pippa F Cosper^{3

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
² Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
³ Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
⁴ Cancer Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
⁵ Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA.

Abstract

Chromosomal instability (CIN) and aneuploidy are hallmarks of cancer. CIN is defined as a continuous rate of chromosome missegregation events over the course of multiple cell divisions. CIN causes aneuploidy, a state of abnormal chromosome content differing from a multiple of the haploid. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a well-known cause of squamous cancers of the oropharynx, cervix, and anus. The HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes have well-known roles in carcinogenesis, but additional genomic events, such as CIN and aneuploidy, are often required for tumor formation. HPV+ squamous cancers have an increased frequency of specific types of CIN, including polar chromosomes. CIN leads to chromosome gains and losses (aneuploidies) specific to HPV+ cancers, which are distinct from HPV- cancers. HPV-specific CIN and aneuploidy may have implications for prognosis and therapeutic response and may provide insight into novel therapeutic vulnerabilities. Here, we review HPV-specific types of CIN and patterns of aneuploidy in squamous cancers, as well as how this impacts patient prognosis and treatment.

Keywords: aneuploidy; chromosomal instability; chromosome; human papillomavirus; squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alphapapillomavirus / genetics
Alphapapillomavirus / pathogenicity
Aneuploidy*
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / virology
Chromosomal Instability*
Female
Human Papillomavirus Viruses
Humans
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / genetics
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / pathology
Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / virology
Papillomaviridae / genetics
Papillomaviridae / pathogenicity
Papillomavirus Infections* / complications
Papillomavirus Infections* / genetics
Papillomavirus Infections* / virology

Grants and funding

S.M. receives funding from the NSF (DGE-2036197). A.M.T. receives funding from NCI (R01 CA273723-01, R21 CA280577-01), NIGMS (R35 GM147287-02), and the American Cancer Society (RSG-23-1029282-01-DMC). P.F.C. receives funding from the NCI (K08CA256166), and this project was supported by the Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) program through the NIH National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and National Cancer Institute (NCI), grant P50DE026787. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.