Circulating DNA in Head and Neck Cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as biomarker in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC)
IRAS ID
151859
Contact name
Shreerang Bhide
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Institute of Cancer Research
Research summary
Background: Following primary radical non-surgical treatment for locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNSCC), many patients undergo so-called “salvage neck dissection” because of the presence of persisting neck lymph nodes. However, residual viable tumour cells in neck dissection specimens are reported in only 20-40% of patients. Therefore, in most patients this neck dissection is unnecessary and causes significant morbidity (fibrosis, facial/hypoglossal nerve damage, reduced shoulder movement, swallowing problems). In a new approach to post-treatment monitoring, detection of circulating nucleic acids, particularly DNA released by the tumour into peripheral blood, may be a biomarker of treatment efficacy
Aim: To investigate the utility of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a biomarker for persistent/residual disease following radical treatment for HNSCC.
Methods: In 60 patients undergoing curative treatment for HNSCC, blood will be collected before and at regular intervals after treatment to measure the levels of circulating tumour DNA(ctDNA). The ctDNA will be quantified in these samples and correlated to presence of residual disease (viable tumour cells following neck dissection).REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/1055
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion