Global prevalence of human papillomavirus-related oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To conduct a systematic review to determine the global prevalence of HPV in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Materials and methods Literature was searched through October 2022 in main databases to address the question “What is the global prevalence of Human Papillomavirus in oral and oropharyngeal cancer?” Studies had to identify HPV by PCR, ISH, or p16 immunohistochemistry to be eligible. Quality was assessed using the JBI checklist for prevalence studies. Meta-analyses were performed, and reporting followed PRISMA guidelines. Results Sixty-five studies were included, and most of them had methodological limitations related to sampling and the HPV detection tool. The pooled prevalence of HPV-positivity was 10% (event rate = 0.1; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.13; P < 0.01; I 2 = 88%) in the oral cavity and 42% (event rate = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.49; P = 0.02; I2 = 97%) in oropharynx. The highest HPV prevalence in OSCC was reached by Japan, meanwhile, in OPSCC, Finland and Sweden were the most prevalent. HPV16 is the genotype most frequent with 69% in OSCC and 89% in OPSCC, being the tonsils the intraoral location more affected by HPV (63%, p < 0.01, I 2 76%). Conclusion The evidence points to an apparent burden in HPV-related OPSCC, mostly in North America, Northern Europe, and Oceania, especially due to the HPV16 infection suggesting different trends across continents. Clinical relevance This updated systematic review and meta-analysis provide sufficient evidence about the global HPV prevalence in OSCC and OPSCC and the most frequent HPV subtype worldwide.