Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) represent a distinct subgroup of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) characterized by better prognosis and increased radiosensitivity compared to HPV-negative OPSCC. However, current diagnostic and monitoring methods, including tissue biopsies and imaging, are insufficient for precise risk stratification and early detection of recurrence, leading to challenges in treatment de-escalation and surveillance strategies. Circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPV-DNA) has emerged as a promising minimally invasive biomarker that offers tumor-specific detection and monitoring capabilities, potentially transforming the management of HPV-related OPSCC through early disease detection, treatment response assessment, recurrence surveillance stratification, and disease monitoring. Despite encouraging results from early clinical studies, current use is limited to trial settings. Large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate its clinical utility and determine whether early ctHPV-DNA testing can improve patient outcome while reducing treatment related morbidity. This review outlines the biological rationale, technological approaches, and current clinical evidence for ctHPV-DNA in HPV-related OPSCC, emphasizing its potential role in treatment monitoring and surveillance.
Source: Diagnostics
Institutions: KU Leuven, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, The Ohio State University, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Ljubljana, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), University of Turku, Turku University Hospital, Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Emory University, Winship Cancer Institute
Language: English
Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies
Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4415569121