Overview
Background
Associate Professor Annika Antonsson is a virologist with epidemiological training. Viruses can cause cancer, and Annika’s research has been focused on human papillomavirus (HPV) and its role in different types of cancer. HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Her current main research areas are oral HPV infections in the general population and HPV in mouth and throat cancer (mucosal squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck; HNSCC).
Some cancers of the mouth and throat are increasing and some of this increase is caused by HPV infection. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and changing sexual behaviour is believed to have caused the increase in HPV-positive tumours of the mouth and throat. Annika is investigating how often HPV in found in HNSCCs and if there are any lifestyle factors linked with having HPV or not to have HPV in tumours.
It is not known how common the potentially cancer-causing viruses are in the mouth of the general population, and this is another area of research Annika is looking into. She has also worked on HPV in skin (normal skin and cancer), infections in breast carcinogenesis, HPV in oesophageal cancer and polyomaviruses in normal skin and skin cancer.
Availability
- Associate Professor Annika Antonsson is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Institution to be confirmed
Research interests
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The Oral Diversity Study
Oral HPV infection in vaccinated and unvaccinated people
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The Oral Health Study
Oral HPV infection in the general population
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The PAH/QIMRB Head and Neck Cancer Study
Human papillomavirus infection and risk factors in head and neck cancer patients
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HPV and microRNA in oropharyngeal cancers
comparing microRNA expression in HPV positive and HPV negative oropharyngeal cancers
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CHANNEL (Care of Head And Neck cancer Needs EvaLuation Study)
a quality of life and supportive care needs study of patients with head and neck cancer
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Indigenous Oral HPV
Longitudinal study of oral HPV infection and risk factors associated with infection in Indigenous Australians
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Breast cancer microbiome
Profiling the intratumoural microbiome in breast cancer and control tissue
Research impacts
- Oral HPV infection in people vaccinated with Gardasil® and unvaccinated people. We will investigate if people who have been vaccinated against HPV have the same or different HPV types compared to unvaccinated people
- Natural history of oral HPV infection. We have been investigating how common oral HPV infection is in the general population in Australia, and if oral HPV infection is linked to lifestyle or sexual behaviours. We have also studied how often people get a new oral HPV infection (incidence) and how long oral HPV infections last for (persistence)
- HPV and head and neck cancer (cancers of mouth and throat). We have been investigating risk factors for HPV in head and neck cancer. We have looked at differences in lifestyle factors and host SNPs in patients with HPV-positive vs HPV-negative tumours and are currently looking into miRNA regulation. We have found high HPV prevalence (most commonly HPV-16), especially in younger individuals and in cancers of the tonsil
- HPV and oesophageal cancer. Very low prevalence of HPV detected in tumours, suggesting that HPV is not associated with oesophageal cancer (both cancer types squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma)
- HPV and breast cancer. The viral role of breast cancer is still under debate. In our Australian breast cancer cohort we found HPV, but very low viral load. We found low prevalences of other DNA tumour viruses in this dataset. We are currently looking for viral sequences by deep sequencing of breast cancer
- HPV in normal skin. Annika was involved in developing a new revolutionary tool that detects the majority of HPV types, the FAP (Forslund-Antonsson-Primer). The FAP has, over the years isolated most known HPVs plus hundreds of new, previously unknown skin HPVs in both humans and animals. FAP has explosively expanded the phylogenetic papillomavirus tree She has used the FAP in several publications to show the very high HPV prevalence and abundance of HPV types present in healthy skin in people of all ages across the globe
Works
Search Professor Annika Antonsson’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Journal Article
Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus infection among Australian Indigenous adults
Jamieson, Lisa M., Antonsson, Annika, Garvey, Gail, Ju, Xiangqun, Smith, Megan, Logan, Richard M., Johnson, Newell W., Hedges, Joanne, Sethi, Sneha, Dunbar, Terry, Leane, Cathy, Hill, Isaac, Brown, Alex, Roder, David, De Souza, Marjorie and Canfell, Karen (2020). Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus infection among Australian Indigenous adults. JAMA Network Open, 3 (6) e204951, 1-18. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.4951
2018
Journal Article
An update on cellular microRNA expression in human papillomavirus-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Emmett, Sarah, Whiteman, David C., Panizza, Benedict J. and Antonsson, Annika (2018). An update on cellular microRNA expression in human papillomavirus-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncology, 95 (4), 1-9. doi: 10.1159/000489786
2018
Journal Article
Human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer among indigenous Australians: Protocol for a prevalence study of oral-related human papillomavirus and cost-effectiveness of prevention
Jamieson, Lisa, Garvey, Gail, Hedges, Joanne, Mitchell, Amanda, Dunbar, Terry, Leane, Cathy, Hill, Isaac, Warren, Kate, Brown, Alex, Ju, Xiangqun, Roder, David, Logan, Richard, Johnson, Newell, Smith, Megan, Antonsson, Annika and Canfell, Karen (2018). Human papillomavirus and oropharyngeal cancer among indigenous Australians: Protocol for a prevalence study of oral-related human papillomavirus and cost-effectiveness of prevention. JMIR Research Protocols, 7 (6) e10503, e10503. doi: 10.2196/10503
2018
Journal Article
HPV-16 viral load in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using digital PCR
Antonsson, Annika, Knight, Lani, Panizza, Benedict J., Porceddu, Sandro V., Emmett, Sarah and Whiteman, David C. (2018). HPV-16 viral load in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using digital PCR. Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 138 (9), 1-5. doi: 10.1080/00016489.2018.1461239
2018
Journal Article
Sexual behaviour, HPV status and p16 expression in oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas: a case-case comparison study
Emmett, Sarah, Boros, Samuel, Whiteman, David C., Porceddu, Sandro V., Panizza, Benedict J. and Antonsson, Annika (2018). Sexual behaviour, HPV status and p16 expression in oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas: a case-case comparison study. Journal of General Virology, 99 (6) 001069, 783-789. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001069
2018
Journal Article
Prevalence and stability of antibodies to thirteen polyomaviruses and association with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study
Antonsson, Annika, Neale, Rachel E., O'Rourke, Peter, Wockner, Leesa, Michel, Angelika, Pawlita, Michael, Waterboer, Tim and Green, Adele C. (2018). Prevalence and stability of antibodies to thirteen polyomaviruses and association with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a population-based study. Journal of Clinical Virology, 101, 34-37. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2018.01.013
2018
Journal Article
Viral infections and breast cancer - A current perspective
Gannon, O. M., Antonsson, A., Bennett, I. C. and Saunders, N. A. (2018). Viral infections and breast cancer - A current perspective. Cancer Letters, 420, 182-189. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.01.076
2018
Journal Article
How many cancer cases and deaths are potentially preventable? Estimates for Australia in 2013
Wilson, Louise F., Antonsson, Annika, Green, Adele C., Jordan, Susan J., Kendall, Bradley J., Nagle, Christina M., Neale, Rachel E., Olsen, Catherine M., Webb, Penelope M. and Whiteman, David C. (2018). How many cancer cases and deaths are potentially preventable? Estimates for Australia in 2013. International Journal of Cancer, 142 (4), 691-701. doi: 10.1002/ijc.31088
2017
Journal Article
Detection of oral HPV infection – Comparison of two different specimen collection methods and two HPV detection methods
de Souza, Marjorie M.A., Hartel, Gunter, Whiteman, David C. and Antonsson, Annika (2017). Detection of oral HPV infection – Comparison of two different specimen collection methods and two HPV detection methods. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 90 (4), 267-271. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.12.004
2017
Journal Article
Low prevalence of human papillomavirus in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in Queensland, Australia
Emmett, Sarah, Jenkins, Glenn, Boros, Samuel, Whiteman, David C., Panizza, Benedict and Antonsson, Annika (2017). Low prevalence of human papillomavirus in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in Queensland, Australia. ANZ Journal of Surgery, 87 (9), 714-719. doi: 10.1111/ans.13607
2017
Journal Article
Oral human papillomavirus infection incidence and clearance: a systematic review of the literature
Wood, Zoe C., Bain, Christopher J., Smith, David D., Whiteman, David C. and Antonsson, Annika (2017). Oral human papillomavirus infection incidence and clearance: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of General Virology, 98 (4), 519-526. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.000727
2017
Journal Article
Past sexual behaviors and risks of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a case–case comparison
Schnelle, Christoph, Whiteman, David C., Porceddu, Sandro V., Panizza, Benedict J. and Antonsson, Annika (2017). Past sexual behaviors and risks of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a case–case comparison. International Journal of Cancer, 140 (5), 1027-1034. doi: 10.1002/ijc.30519
2017
Conference Publication
Sexual Behavior, HPV Status and P16 Expression in Oropharyngeal and Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Emmett, Sarah, Boros, Sam, Whiteman, David C., Porceddu, Sandro, Panizza, Benedict and Antonsson, Annika (2017). Sexual Behavior, HPV Status and P16 Expression in Oropharyngeal and Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients. COSA's 44th Annual Scientific Meeting, Immunotherapy: Molecules and Mountains, Sydney, NSW Australia, 13–15 November 2017. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley.
2016
Journal Article
Human papillomavirus not detected in esophageal adenocarcinoma tumor specimens-Reply
Antonsson, Annika, Knight, Lani and Whiteman, David C. (2016). Human papillomavirus not detected in esophageal adenocarcinoma tumor specimens-Reply. Cancer Epidemiology, 43, 120-120. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2016.05.005
2016
Journal Article
Erratum to: Variants of EVER1 and EVER2 (TMC6 and TMC8) and human papillomavirus status in patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Antonsson, Annika, Law, Matthew H., Neale, Rachel E., Coman, William B., Pryor, David I., Study of Digestive Health (SDH), Porceddu, Sandro V. and Whiteman, David C. (2016). Erratum to: Variants of EVER1 and EVER2 (TMC6 and TMC8) and human papillomavirus status in patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Causes and Control , 27 (7), 951. doi: 10.1007/s10552-016-0768-8
2016
Journal Article
Variants of EVER1 and EVER2 (TMC6 and TMC8) and human papillomavirus status in patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Antonsson, Annika, Law, Matthew H., Neale, Rachel E., Coman, William B., Pryor, David I., Porceddu, Sandro V. and Whiteman, David C. (2016). Variants of EVER1 and EVER2 (TMC6 and TMC8) and human papillomavirus status in patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Cancer Causes and Control, 27 (6), 809-815. doi: 10.1007/s10552-016-0749-y
2016
Journal Article
Human papillomavirus not detected in esophageal adenocarcinoma tumor specimens
Antonsson, Annika, Knight, Lani and Whiteman, David C. (2016). Human papillomavirus not detected in esophageal adenocarcinoma tumor specimens. Cancer Epidemiology, 41, 96-98. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2016.01.014
2016
Journal Article
Human Papilloma Virus Identification in Breast Cancer Patients with Previous Cervical Neoplasia
Lawson, James S., Glenn, Wendy K., Salyakina, Daria, Clay, Rosemary, Delprado, Warick, Cheerala, Bharathi, Tran, Dinh D., Ngan, Christopher C., Miyauchi, Shingo, Karim, Martha, Antonsson, Annika and Whitaker, Noel J. (2016). Human Papilloma Virus Identification in Breast Cancer Patients with Previous Cervical Neoplasia. Frontiers in Oncology, 5 298. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00298
2015
Journal Article
TGFβ isoforms and receptors mRNA expression in breast tumours: Prognostic value and clinical implications
Chen, Chenfeng, Zhao, Kong-Nan, Masci, Paul P., Lakhani, Sunil R., Antonsson, Annika, Simpson, Peter T. and Vitetta, Luis (2015). TGFβ isoforms and receptors mRNA expression in breast tumours: Prognostic value and clinical implications. BMC Cancer, 15 (1010) 1010, 1010. doi: 10.1186/s12885-015-1993-3
2015
Journal Article
Human papilloma viruses and breast cancer
Lawson, James S., Glenn, Wendy K., Salyakina, Dania, Delprado, Warick, Clay, Rosemary, Antonsson, Annika, Heng, Benjamin, Miyauchi, Shingo, Tran, Dinh D., Ngan, Christopher C., Lutze-Mann, Louise and Whitaker, Noel J. (2015). Human papilloma viruses and breast cancer. Frontiers in Oncology, 5 277. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00277
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Annika Antonsson is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Is indigenous status, socioeconomic indexes for areas (SEIFA) or remoteness associated with survival in head and neck cancer patients?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Panizza
Completed supervision
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2017
Master Philosophy
Evaluating cellular microRNA expression in human papillomavirus associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ben Panizza
Media
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