Abstract: Objective To compare the effectiveness of two different methods, real time PCR (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization, in detecting human papillomavirus 16/18(HPV16/18) infection in head and neck squamous cell cancer tissues. Methods The level of HPV16/18DNA was measured by RT-PCR and in situ hybridization in the tissues from head and neck squamous cell cancer (n=78)．Results The incidence rates of HPV infection were 62.8% by RT-PCR and 47.4% by in situ hybridization (ISH). By the way of RT-PCR, the incidence rates of HPV16/18 DNA positive in lip, oral cavity, oropharynx and hypopharynx were 33.3%, 66.7%, 70% and 57.1%, respectively. By the way of ISH, the incidence rates of HPV16/18 DNA in corresponding location were 33.3%, 43.8%, 60.0% and 57.1%, respectively. In general, these two methods had a high consistency in detecting HPV infection (kappa=0.595, P<0.001). Conclusions RT-PCR and in situ hybridization have a high consistency in detecting HPV16/18 DNA infection in head and neck squamous cell cancer tissues. Either of them can be chosen for evaluating HPV16/18 infection status in head and neck squamous cell cancer tissues.

Key words: Real time PCR, in situ hybridization, HNSCC, HPV