Circulating Human Papillomavirus DNA in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Possible Applications and Future Directions
Dauren Adilbay, Saudamini J. Lele, John Pang, Ameya A. Asarkar, Jason Calligas, Cherie‐Ann O. Nathan
Abstract
There has been a rising trend in HPV-induced head and neck cancers in the last several decades. This subgroup of squamous cell carcinoma is mostly located in the oropharynx and comprises a subset of patients who are typically younger and without the usual risk factors of smoking and alcohol use. As the prognosis of HPV-induced OPC is more favorable, there is a desire to properly select these patients for de-intensification protocols while identifying individuals who may suffer treatment failure. Here, we describe recent developments in circulating tumor HPV DNA as a marker of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer that can potentially be used as a diagnostic tool to stratify patients for de-escalation strategies and to survey for recurrence.