Genomic Characterization and Therapeutic Targeting of HPV Undetected Cervical Carcinomas

Simple Summary Persistent HPV infection is a known driver of cervical carcinogenesis, but the existence and biological relevance of HPV undetected (HPVU) cervical cancer has been debated. Here we report the results of detailed molecular classification of HPVU cervical cancer, and validate HPVU as a biomarker of poor outcomes. We identify that HPVU cervical cancer tumors harbor mutations affecting cell cycle progression, and in vitro experiments reveal HPVU, but not HPV+, cells are sensitive to palbociclib monotherapy. HPVU status can be translated into the clinic as a predictive biomarker of poor patient response to standard of care treatments and these patients may benefit from personalized treatment plans. Our results identify palbociclib as a lead candidate as an alternative treatment strategy for HPVU cervical cancer patients. We also suggest that primary cervix tumors be routinely tested for HPV prior to treatment to identify patients who will benefit from more aggressive precision-driven therapy. Cervical cancer tumors with undetectable HPV (HPVU) have been underappreciated in clinical decision making. In this study, two independent CC datasets were used to characterize the largest cohort of HPVU tumors to date (HPVU = 35, HPV+ = 430). Genomic and transcriptome tumor profiles and patient survival outcomes were compared between HPV+ and HPVU tumors. In vitro analyses were done to determine efficacy of the selective CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib on HPVU cancer cell lines. Patients with HPVU CC tumors had worse progression-free and overall survival outcomes compared to HPV+ patients. TP53, ARID1A, PTEN, ARID5B, CTNNB1, CTCF, and CCND1 were identified as significantly mutated genes (SMGs) enriched in HPVU tumors, with converging functional roles in cell cycle progression. In vitro HPVU, but not HPV+, cancer cell lines with wild type RB1 were sensitive to palbociclib monotherapy. These results indicate that HPVU status can be translated into the clinic as a predictive biomarker of poor patient response to standard of care treatments. We suggest primary cervix tumors be routinely tested for HPV prior to treatment to identify patients who will benefit from more aggressive precision-driven therapy. Our results identify palbociclib as a lead candidate as an alternative treatment strategy for HPVU CC patients.

Automated summary

Persistent HPV infection is a known driver of cervical carcinogenesis, but the significance of HPV undetected (HPVU) cervical cancer has been debated. This study demonstrates that HPVU status can serve as a predictive biomarker of poor patient response to standard treatments and suggests personalized treatment plans for such patients. Palbociclib emerges as a promising alternative treatment for HPVU cervical cancer patients.