LAUSR

1https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/abstract/10.2340/00015555-3115 Infections with mucosal high-risk (HR-) human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause mucosal cancers of the anogenital and oropharyngeal tract. Furthermore, they are associated with the development of skin cancers located on the hands. Available data on viral prevalence and type spectrum in these tumours are highly variable. Some studies show detection rates of mucosal HR-HPV in up to 90% (1–5), while others fail to detect viral DNA (6, 7). Viral presence is reported to be confined to tumours on periand subungual sites, or predominantly on proximal phalanges rather than ungual sites (2, 3). This study investigated cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and Bowen’s diseases (BDs), an SCC in situ, located on the hands for the presence of mucosal HR-HPV and the respective genotype(s). In addition, candidate biomarkers for viral activity (p53/p16/p21) and therapeutic intervention (epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)) were analysed and expression correlated to papillomaviral state.