High Expression of NFX1-123 in HPV Positive Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Abstract

Background: High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR HPV) cause nearly all cervical cancers and, in the United States, the majority of head and neck cancers (HNSCCs). NFX1-123 is overexpressed in cervical cancers, and NFX1-123 partners with the HR HPV type 16 E6 oncoprotein to affect multiple growth, differentiation, and immune response genes. However, neither the expression of NFX1-123 nor the levels of these genes have been investigated in HPV positive (HPV+) or negative (HPV-) HNSCCs. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas Splicing Variants Database and HNSCC cell lines were used to quantify expression of NFX1-123 and cellular genes increased in cervical cancers. Results: NFX1-123 was increased in HPV+ HNSCCs compared to HPV- HNSCCs. LCE1B, KRT16, SPRR2G, and FBN2 were highly expressed in HNSCCs compared to normal tissues. Notch1 and CCNB1IP1 had greater expression in HPV+ HNSCCs compared to HPV- HNSCCs. Conclusion: NFX1-123 and a subset of its known targets were increased in HPV+ HNSCCs.