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Role of human papillomavirus infection and other co-factors in the aetiology of head and neck cancer in India and Europe

Objective

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for approximately 25% of head and neck cancer (HNC) worldwide and appears to be associated with a better response to treatment and improved prognosis. Evidence suggests that HPV-induced HNC has steadily increased in the USA and some European countries in the last decades. However, whether this is a worldwide phenomenon and specific risk factors are associated with it remains to be proven. In addition, little is known on the natural history and risk factors of oral HPV infection. HPV-AHEAD network aims to address these and other unanswered questions on HNC etiology and epidemiology with a focus on the role of HPV. We will assemble and analyze a large collection of plasma/sera and HNC tissues from 42 centres in 16 European countries as well as HNC tissues from 7 Indian centres together with epidemiological and clinical data. HPV status in human specimens will be evaluated by different assays in central laboratories. Epidemiological studies will be conducted to establish the overall proportion and type distribution of HPV-positive HNC at different anatomical sites in European and Indian regions as well as the time trend of the proportion of HPV-positive HNC in recent decades. Using the follow-up information on HNC patients, we will further investigate whether HPV positivity confers a better prognosis and survival. We will also conduct a study in HPV-vaccinated and non-vaccinated women in order to determine risk factors and natural history of oral HPV infections. In addition, we will search for new surrogate markers for oral HPV infection to facilitate novel screening strategies. Finally, the HPV-AHEAD consortium aims to transfer technology to Indian centres as well as to develop several strategies for the training of European and Indian researchers in infections and cancers. This study will provide important insights for the screening, diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis of HPV-associated HNC in Europe, India and elsewhere.

Call for proposal

FP7-HEALTH-2011-single-stage
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Coordinator

CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHE SUR LE CANCER
Address
25 Avenue Tony Garnier
69007 Lyon 7eme
France

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Olaf Kelm (Dr.)
EU contribution
€ 1 217 848,80

Participants (10)

DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG
Germany
EU contribution
€ 424 272
Address
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
69120 Heidelberg

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Bettina Crispin (Ms.)
FUNDACIO INSTITUT D'INVESTIGACIO BIOMEDICA DE BELLVITGE

Participation ended

Spain
Address
Avenida Gran Via Hospitalet 199-203
08908 L'hospitalet De Llobregat
Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Victoria Cochrane (Ms.)
UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
Belgium
EU contribution
€ 200 004
Address
Prinsstraat 13
2000 Antwerpen

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Anne Adams (Ms.)
ISTITUTO EUROPEO DI ONCOLOGIA SRL
Italy
EU contribution
€ 217 800
Address
Via Filodrammatici 10
20121 Milano

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Ilaria Foti (Ms.)
ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece
EU contribution
€ 149 960
Address
Kedea Building, Tritis Septemvriou, Aristotle University Campus
546 36 Thessaloniki

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Georgia Petridou (Ms.)
DEUTSCHES INSTITUT FUER ERNAEHRUNGSFORSCHUNG POTSDAM REHBRUECKE
Germany
EU contribution
€ 199 285
Address
Arthur-scheunert-allee 114-116
14558 Nuthetal

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Judith Schaefer (Dr.)
UNIVERSITATSKLINIKUM HEIDELBERG
Germany
EU contribution
€ 181 800
Address
Im Neuenheimer Feld 672
69120 Heidelberg

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Thorsten Brietz (Mr.)
RAJIV GANDHI CENTRE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY
India
EU contribution
€ 110 000
Address
Millenium Parkway Jagathy
695 014 Thiruvananthapuram

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Rajan Panicker (Mr.)
ROCHE MTM LABORATORIES AG
Germany
EU contribution
€ 98 018,20
Address
Im Neuenheimer Feld 583
69120 Heidelberg

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Karin Mueller (Mrs.)
INSTITUT CATALA D'ONCOLOGIA
Spain
EU contribution
€ 200 958
Address
Av Gran Via De L'hospitalet 199-203
08908 L'hospitalet Del Llobregat

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Cristina Rajo Anadón (Ms.)