To synthesize current evidence on the contribution of oncogenic viruses to the etiology of oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Approach:
Study Identification: Observational studies between January 2015 and December 2025 were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria: Eligible studies were limited to human research and those reporting viral detections.
Key Findings:
A strong, consistent, and clinically relevant association exists between HPV infection and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Evidence supporting a causal or prognostic role for non-HPV oncogenic viruses, including EBV, HHV, CMV, and MCPyV, in oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains limited and heterogeneous.
Substantial methodological variability in viral detection approaches and epidemiological reporting was observed.
Interpretation:
The results demonstrate a strong association between HPV infection and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, while the role of other oncogenic viruses remains unclear.
Limitations:
Methodological variability in viral detection approaches.
Heterogeneity in epidemiological reporting.
Conclusion:
The review emphasizes the need for standardized assessment frameworks in studying oncogenic viruses in squamous cell carcinoma.
by Juan Manuel Quiroga-Garza, Maria Fernanda Herrera-Saldivar, Norma Carolina Hernandez-Bautista, Alondra Yamileth Alanis-Valdez, Aldo Sebastian Flores-Flores, Jose Manuel Vazquez-Guillen, Diana Resendez-Perez, Reyes S. Tamez-Guerra, Cristina Rodriguez-Padilla
