Aurora kinases are a novel therapeutic target for HPV-positive head and neck cancers

Abstract

Objectives: Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the main culprit in cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, skin, eye and head and neck. Current treatments for HPV cancers have not altered survival outcomes for 30 years and there is a significant lack of targeted therapeutic agents in the management of advanced HPV-related HNSCC. Here we show that survival and maintenance of HPV-positive HNC cells relies on the continuous expression of the major HPV oncogene, E7, and that Aurora kinases are critical for survival of high-risk HPV-positive HNC cells. Materials and methods: To assess the role of HPV E7 on HNC cell survival, RNA interference (RNAi) of the E7 gene was initially performed. Using an Aurora ..