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Updated: Mar 10, 2026
Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: April 20, 2018
Liquid Biopsy: A Future Tool for Posttreatment Surveillance in Head and Neck Cancer?
Joost H van Ginkel1, Manon M H Huibers, Rob Noorlag
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Utrecht Cancer Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is largely based on disease stage. Despite improvements in treatment, recurrence rates are still considered high. Currently, disease progression or regression after curative treatment is monitored by clinical evaluation combined with flexible endoscopy and/or imaging. However, specificity of imaging is low due to the posttreatment effects. Detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from blood samples of HNSCC patients is a minimally invasive technique that could lead to an earlier detection of recurrence. In addition, digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) could be used to sensitively detect these mutational targets. Future study on ctDNA using ddPCR in blood samples of HNSCC patients is recommended during the follow-up stage to detect recurrences in a timely manner.
