Tracking the Molecular Fingerprint of Head and Neck Cancer for Recurrence Detection in Liquid Biopsies.
Araceli Diez-FraileJoke De CeulaerCharlotte DerpoorterChristophe SpaasTom De BackerPhilippe LamoralJohan AbeloosTim LammensPublished in: International journal of molecular sciences (2022)
The 5-year relative survival for patients with head and neck cancer, the seventh most common form of cancer worldwide, was reported as 67% in developed countries in the second decade of the new millennium. Although surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combined treatment often elicits an initial satisfactory response, relapses are frequently observed within two years. Current surveillance methods, including clinical exams and imaging evaluations, have not unambiguously demonstrated a survival benefit, most probably due to a lack of sensitivity in detecting very early recurrence. Recently, liquid biopsy monitoring of the molecular fingerprint of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma has been proposed and investigated as a strategy for longitudinal patient care. These innovative methods offer rapid, safe, and highly informative genetic analysis that can identify small tumors not yet visible by advanced imaging techniques, thus potentially shortening the time to treatment and improving survival outcomes. In this review, we provide insights into the available evidence that the molecular tumor fingerprint can be used in the surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Challenges to overcome, prior to clinical implementation, are also discussed.
Keyphrases
- free survival
- high resolution
- public health
- healthcare
- minimally invasive
- locally advanced
- primary care
- ionic liquid
- single molecule
- radiation therapy
- ultrasound guided
- loop mediated isothermal amplification
- acute coronary syndrome
- coronary artery bypass
- quality improvement
- coronary artery disease
- combination therapy
- cross sectional
- radiation induced
- real time pcr
- sensitive detection
- quantum dots