| DNA level |
PCR |
Simple, quick sensitive highly specific |
Easy to cross-contamination between samples high false positive rate perform HPV typing operations is tedious |
|
DNA ISH |
High specificity can be used for localization detection |
Detection is affected by the DNA content in the specimen results are sometimes difficult to explain |
| mRNA level |
RT-PCR |
High sensitivity high specificity accurately reflects the transcription activity of viral oncogenes |
Requires technical expertise testing fresh frozen tissue |
|
RNA ISH |
High sensitivity high specificity to some extent, it can be used as the “gold standard” for HPV-related tumors |
The experimental operation requires high experience poor repeatability |
| Protein level |
p16 immunohistochemistry |
High sensitivity strong prognostic indicators |
Low specificity mainly used for the detecting HPV in oropharyngeal cancer |
|
IHC |
Virus antigen detection easy to perform and locate |
False-negative findings and low sensitivity |
