Work

Association Between HPV Circulating Tumor DNA and Prognostic Inflammatory Indices in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Pilot Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has been developed as a marker of tumor burden in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Inflammatory indices are also increasingly being used as prognostic surrogate markers in solid tumors, including head and neck cancers. The relationship between ctDNA levels and inflammatory indices has not been studied in HPV-associated OPSCC. We hypothesize that higher levels of inflammation are associated with higher ctDNA levels. Herein, we demonstrate an association between high pretreatment ctDNA levels and specific inflammatory indices, which may be lower-cost surrogate markers of high HPV ctDNA levels and may act as a surrogate marker for the body's immune response to HPV-positive OPSCC.

Source: OTO Open

DOI: 10.1002/oto2.70116

Authors: Ryan S. Ziltzer, Zulkifl I. Jafary, Connor Hunt, Iraj Hasan, Meghan T. Turner

Institution: West Virginia University

Language: English

Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,430