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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
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Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients
Published on: September 9, 2020
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Circulating Cell-Free DNA Concentration as a Biomarker in Head and Neck Cancer.
Ana María Rodríguez-Ces1,2,3, Óscar Rapado-González1,3,4,5,6, Santiago Aguín-Losada7,8
1Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Medicine and Dentistry School, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Oral Diseases
|June 27, 2025
Summary
Circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) shows promise as a biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Lower post-treatment ccfDNA levels correlate with improved progression-free survival in HNSCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), especially human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative types, presents diagnostic and survival challenges.
- Early detection and effective monitoring are crucial for improving patient outcomes in HNSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) as a minimally invasive biomarker for HNSCC diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring.
- To compare fluorometry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for ccfDNA quantification.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multicentre study involving 85 HNSCC patients and 28 healthy controls.
- Quantification of plasma ccfDNA using fluorometry (Qubit) and qPCR.
- Analysis of baseline and post-treatment ccfDNA levels, correlating with clinical data.
Main Results:
- Plasma ccfDNA was significantly elevated in HNSCC patients (AUC 0.705), with higher levels in early stages.
- Lower post-treatment ccfDNA levels were associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) (16.37 vs. 9.63 months).
- ccfDNA levels correlated with age but not tumor stage or location; longitudinal kinetics showed inter-patient variability.
Conclusions:
- Fluorometric quantification of ccfDNA holds potential as a diagnostic, prognostic, and monitoring biomarker for HNSCC.
- Further research is needed to optimize ccfDNA's clinical utility in HNSCC management.
