The increased expression levels of human endogenous retrovirus-K envelope and human endogenous retrovirus-H polymerase transcripts in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a significant subtype of head and neck cancers, with tobacco and alcohol being primary risk factors. Many studies have shown that human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), specifically HERV-K and HERV-H, have been implicated in the development and progression of various cancers, including head and neck cancers; nevertheless, there is a lack of research on the expression levels of HERV-K and HERV-H in LSCC. In this research, the differential expression of HERV-K Rec, Env, Np9, and HERV-H pol transcripts was assessed in 144 laryngeal biopsy specimens (72 polyps and 72 LSCC samples) utilizing quantitative Real-time PCR. The results showed a significant upregulation of HERV-K Env and HERV-H pol in the LSCC group compared to the polyp group (p < 0.001), suggesting their potential role in LSCC progression. The ROC curve analysis further supported the diagnostic significance of HERV-H pol and HERV-K Env transcripts in distinguishing LSCC from noncancerous polyps (HERV-H pol: AUC = 0.86; HERV-K Env: AUC = 0.76). Moreover, being over 50 years old and having an opium addiction were linked to increased expression levels of HERV-H Pol and HERV-K Env, suggesting a potential connection between these elements and laryngeal cancer (p < 0.001). These results highlight the possible utility of HERV-H pol and HERV-K Env as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of LSCC. Undoubtedly, additional research is imperative to establish the clinical efficacy of these biomarkers.