Observational studyClinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery2025
Circulating Tumour DNA as a Complementary Tool for Treatment Evaluation in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Observational Cohort Study.
Observational study in Clinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05904327 (The Use of Circulating Biomarkers in Oropharyngeal Cancer and Unknown Primary of Head and Neck - a Prospective Multicenter Study for Treatment Evaluation and Surveillance), which is not on this map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
The Use of Circulating Biomarkers in Oropharyngeal Cancer and Unknown Primary of Head and Neck - a Prospective Multicenter Study for Treatment Evaluation and Surveillance
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Prognostic Value of Pretreatment Circulating Tumor HPV DNA Load in HPV-Associated Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Pooled it
- Biomarkers for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma and the role of HPV: Multi‑omics approaches and current evidence (Review).International journal of oncology · 2026Review
- Review
- Liquid Biopsy and Circulating Biomarkers in Head and Neck Cancer: Advancing Non-Invasive Detection and Tailored Management.Cancers · 2025Review
- The Value of Circulating Tumor HPV DNA in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: A Review.Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Circulating Tumour DNA as a Complementary Tool for Treatment Evaluation in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Observational Cohort Study.Clinical otolaryngology : official journal of ENT-UK ; official journal of Netherlands Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & Cervico-Facial Surgery · 2025Observational
- Clinical Utility and Limitations of Circulating HPV DNA in Tonsillar Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Narrative Review.Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer CenterReview
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesHPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and head and neck carcinoma of unknown primary (HNCUP) are increasing. Despite good prognosis, recurrence rates range from 10% to 25%. Surveillance with clinical controls and imaging is not always reliable. Circulating tumour human papillomavirus DNA (ctHPV-DNA) has emerged as a potential biomarker for treatment evaluation and detection of recurrence. We aimed to investigate the correlation between ctHPV-DNA in HPV+ OPSCC/HNCUP and radiologic tumour burden. Additionally, we sought to assess whether ctHPV-DNA could serve as a tool in treatment evaluation.
designA prospective observational cohort study.
settingThis multicenter study involved three otolaryngology units located in central Sweden. We utilised HPV genotype-specific assays for droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to detect ctHPV-DNA in plasma at diagnosis and follow-up. ctHPV-DNA levels were correlated to radiological tumour burden and radiological response using the Kendall Rank correlation coefficient and the Kruskal-Wallis test.
participantsPatients with HPV+ OPSCC/HNCUP undergoing definitive (chemo)radiotherapy and enrolled in the CIRCOS study.
resultsOut of 54 patients, 51 were eligible for analyses. At baseline, ctHPV-DNA was detectable in 88%. A majority of patients with a favourable radiological evaluation according to RECIST had a corresponding undetectable ctHPV-DNA at follow-up. The levels of ctHPV-DNA at baseline correlated with total tumour volume and nodal volume (rτ = 0.39, p < 0.01, respectively rτ = 0.26, p < 0.01).
conclusionctHPV-DNA shows correlation with tumour burden. This study strengthens the role of ctHPV-DNA as a promising biomarker for treatment evaluation in HPV-related OPC/HNCUP. With further research on serial plasma sampling, ctHPV-DNA could complement radiological treatment evaluation in HPV+ OPSCC/HNCUP.
trial registrationNCT05904327 [ClinicalTrials.gov].
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