Detection Accuracy of the Cobas HPV Assay for High-Risk HPV in Head and Neck FNA Biopsy Specimens

Authors

Ming Guo
Abha Khanna
Agata A Tinnirello
Jessica Hwang
Ping Zhang
Li Xu
Guojun Li
Kristina R Dahlstrom
Erich M Sturgis
John Stewart

Publication Date

7-1-2022

Journal

Cancer Cytopathology

DOI

10.1002/cncy.22563

PMID

35192231

PMCID

PMC9256759

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

7-1-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Alphapapillomavirus, Biopsy, Fine-Needle, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Head and Neck Neoplasms, Human papillomavirus 16, Humans, Papillomaviridae, Papillomavirus Infections, Retrospective Studies, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck, human papillomavirus, HPV16, Cobas HPV assay, head and neck FNA, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, FNA needle-rinse

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the detection accuracy of the Cobas human papillomavirus (HPV) assay for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) and HPV-16 in head and neck fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens with squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS: Head and neck FNA biopsy specimens from 2012 to 2020 were retrospectively collected. Cobas HPV testing was performed on 90 FNA specimens with valid Cervista HPV testing results. Results of Cobas HPV and Cervista HPV assays were compared. A Linear Array or SPF10-LiPA25 HPV genotyping assay resolved cases with discrepant results. The κ value and accuracy of Cobas HPV testing were calculated. The accuracy of the Cobas HPV assay was also determined in 42 FNA needle-rinse specimens.

RESULTS: Cobas HPV was positive in 82% of the FNA specimens (74 of 90). The concordance between Cobas HPV and Cervista HPV test results was 88.9% (80 of 90) with substantial agreement (κ = 0.669; 95% CI, 0.481-0.856). With HPV genotyping confirmation in cases with discrepant results between the 2 HPV assays, Cobas HPV showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for hrHPV. HPV-16 was detected in 88% of HPV-positive cases (65 of 74). HPV genotyping confirmed 1 false-negative HPV-16 result and 1 false-positive HPV-16 result. Overall, the accuracy of Cobas HPV for HPV-16 was 97.8%. The accuracy of Cobas HPV in FNA needle-rinse specimens was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: The Cobas HPV assay is highly accurate for determining the HPV status in head and neck FNA specimens. FNA needle rinse is valid for Cobas HPV testing in patients with squamous cell carcinoma.