{"database":"biostudies-literature","file_versions":[],"scores":null,"additional":{"submitter":["Ruiz-Torres DA"],"funding":["NIH HHS"],"pagination":["298"],"full_dataset_link":["https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12373877"],"repository":["biostudies-literature"],"omics_type":["Unknown"],"volume":["9(1)"],"pubmed_abstract":["Recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) is an aggressive disease with limited predictive biomarkers, often leading to ineffective treatments and unnecessary toxicity. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provides a promising real-time, non-invasive tool for monitoring disease activity. In this study, we analyzed 137 plasma samples from 16 patients with R/M HNSCC receiving immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), using a tumor-informed, highly sensitive next-generation sequencing assay (RaDaR, NeoGenomics). Serial ctDNA monitoring was performed at baseline and throughout treatment, and its association with clinical outcomes, including disease control, three-year overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS), was evaluated through univariable and multivariable analyses. ctDNA negativity during treatment was significantly associated with improved disease control (OR 21.7, 95% CI 1.86-754.88, p = 0.0317), three-year OS (HR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.47, p = 0.0103), and PFS (HR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00-0.37, p = 0.0057). Early increases in ctDNA levels correlated with disease progression. Our findings suggest that ctDNA negativity, regardless of PD-L1 expression, ICB regimen, or line of therapy, is a strong predictor of favorable outcomes in R/M HNSCC."],"journal":["NPJ precision oncology"],"pubmed_title":["Personalized circulating tumor DNA dynamics inform survival and response to immune checkpoint blockade in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer."],"pmcid":["PMC12373877"],"funding_grant_id":["5K23DE029811"],"pubmed_authors":["Ruiz-Torres DA","Roberts T","Faden DL","Wirth LJ","Gates L","Mendel J","Chevalier A","Efthymiou V","Murray C","Bryan ME","Pipinikas C","Stott SL","Fisch AS","Patel MJ","Merkin RD","Park JC"],"additional_accession":[]},"is_claimable":false,"name":"Personalized circulating tumor DNA dynamics inform survival and response to immune checkpoint blockade in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer.","description":"Recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) is an aggressive disease with limited predictive biomarkers, often leading to ineffective treatments and unnecessary toxicity. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provides a promising real-time, non-invasive tool for monitoring disease activity. In this study, we analyzed 137 plasma samples from 16 patients with R/M HNSCC receiving immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), using a tumor-informed, highly sensitive next-generation sequencing assay (RaDaR, NeoGenomics). Serial ctDNA monitoring was performed at baseline and throughout treatment, and its association with clinical outcomes, including disease control, three-year overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS), was evaluated through univariable and multivariable analyses. ctDNA negativity during treatment was significantly associated with improved disease control (OR 21.7, 95% CI 1.86-754.88, p = 0.0317), three-year OS (HR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.47, p = 0.0103), and PFS (HR 0.03, 95% CI 0.00-0.37, p = 0.0057). Early increases in ctDNA levels correlated with disease progression. Our findings suggest that ctDNA negativity, regardless of PD-L1 expression, ICB regimen, or line of therapy, is a strong predictor of favorable outcomes in R/M HNSCC.","dates":{"release":"2025-01-01T00:00:00Z","publication":"2025 Aug","modification":"2026-05-08T06:54:00.491Z","creation":"2026-04-07T23:31:35.173Z"},"accession":"S-EPMC12373877","cross_references":{"pubmed":["40846896"],"doi":["10.1038/s41698-025-01084-4"]}}