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A liquid biopsy for head and neck cancers
Henri Schmidt1, Arutha Kulasinghe1, Chris Perry2
1a The School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , Australia.
Expert Review of Molecular Diagnostics
|December 4, 2015
Summary
Liquid biopsies using blood or saliva offer a non-invasive method for detecting head and neck cancer. This approach can help monitor disease progression and treatment response, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Cancer Biomarkers
Background:
- Head and neck cancers frequently present with advanced metastatic disease, leading to poor survival rates.
- Current diagnostic methods lack non-invasive tools to monitor patient outcomes and treatment efficacy.
- There is a critical need for accessible diagnostic approaches to complement existing imaging techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on the feasibility of liquid biopsies for head and neck cancer.
- To highlight the potential of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as biomarkers.
- To emphasize the clinical need for non-invasive diagnostic tools in head and neck oncology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing studies on liquid biopsy in head and neck cancer.
- Analysis of data concerning circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in blood and saliva.
- Evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic potential of these biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Liquid biopsies, analyzing ctDNA and CTCs in peripheral blood, show promise for detecting disseminated disease.
- Tumor DNA detectable in saliva may indicate early-stage head and neck cancer, enabling timely intervention.
- Current literature suggests feasibility but highlights the need for further validation and standardization.
Conclusions:
- Liquid biopsy represents a promising non-invasive tool for head and neck cancer management.
- Further research is required to establish standardized protocols and clinical utility.
- Implementing liquid biopsy could significantly improve early detection and patient monitoring.
