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Liquid Biopsies in Head and Neck Cancers: Recent Developments Across Biofluids, Analytes, and Molecular Features
Patricia J Brooks1, Scott V Bratman1,2,3
1Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Head & Neck
|August 7, 2025
Summary
Early detection of head and neck cancers (HNCs) and recurrence is crucial. Liquid biopsies show promise for HNC surveillance, with viral DNA assays in blood plasma demonstrating clinical performance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are frequently diagnosed at late stages, leading to poor patient outcomes.
- Current methods for early recurrence detection in HNC are insufficient.
- Liquid biopsy offers a potential solution for HNC detection, prognostication, and surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in head and neck cancer (HNC) liquid biopsies.
- To discuss viral-associated and nonviral-associated HNCs in the context of liquid biopsies.
- To evaluate different biofluids, analytes, and molecular profiling techniques for HNC liquid biopsy applications.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of current liquid biopsy technologies for HNC.
- Analysis of various biofluid types (e.g., plasma, saliva) and their suitability for HNC detection.
- Assessment of different molecular analytes (e.g., cell-free DNA, viral DNA) and profiling strategies.
Main Results:
- Liquid biopsy assays detecting viral DNA in peripheral blood plasma have demonstrated established clinical performance.
- Ongoing utility studies for viral DNA assays serve as a model for other emerging liquid biopsy approaches.
- Molecular heterogeneity in HNC presents challenges, but novel approaches are emerging.
Conclusions:
- Utilizing multiple biofluid sources and analytes can potentially enhance the sensitivity and clinical applicability of liquid biopsies for HNC.
- Standardization and harmonization of analytical methods are essential for advancing biomarker discovery and facilitating reliable clinical implementation of HNC liquid biopsies.
