Plasma circulating tumor DNA as a potential tool for disease monitoring in head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recommendations for perioperative therapy in head and neck cancer are not explicit and recurrence occurs frequently. Circulating tumor DNA is an emerging cancer biomarker, but has not been extensively explored for detection of recurrence in head and neck cancer.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were recruited into the study protocol. Tumors were sequenced to identify patient-specific mutations. Mutations were then identified in plasma circulating tumor DNA from pre-treatment blood samples and longitudinally during standard follow-up. Circulating tumor DNA status during follow-up was correlated to disease recurrence.

Results

Samples were taken from eight patients. Tumor mutations were verified in seven patients. Baseline

SUBMITTER: Egyud M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6467749 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature