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Plasma Cell-Free Human Papillomavirus Oncogene E6 and E7 DNA Predicts Outcome in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Authors :
Victor F. Taferner
Gregor Wolf
Andreas Bräuninger
Stefan Gattenlöhner
Henrike Reder
Steffen Wagner
Jens Peter Klussmann
Nora Wuerdemann
Claus Wittekindt
Ernst-Jan M. Speel
RS: GROW - R2 - Basic and Translational Cancer Biology
Pathologie
Source :
Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 22(11), 1333-1343. Elsevier Science
Publication Year :
2020
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2020.

Abstract

Persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with the development of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), and increasing incidences of OPSCC are reported. The generally favorable treatment outcome in patients with HPV-driven OPSCC has brought de-escalation of treatment into discussion. Nevertheless, 13% to 25% develop a relapse within two years after current standard treatment. New biomarkers are urgently required to monitor therapy response, tumor burden, and minimal residual disease during follow-up. This observational study examined 50 patients with OPSCC to investigate plasma cell-free (cf) HPV-DNA derived from tumor cells before therapy and during follow-up. Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to quantify the DNA concentration of HPV oncogenes E6 and E7. A total of 85.7% of pretreatment samples from patients with HPV-driven OPSCC (n = 28) were positive for at least one marker, and cfHPV-DNA concentration increased with tumor size. Virtually no signals were detected in HPV-negative OPSCC patients (n = 20; P ≤ 0.001). Patients without clinical evidence of recurrence had significantly reduced cfHPV-DNA concentrations after therapy (P ≤ 0.001). Conversely, cfHPV-DNA levels increased or remained above threshold in five patients who had residual disease or developed recurrence. In conclusion, plasma cfHPV-DNA detection correlates with the clinical course of disease in patients with HPV-driven OPSCC. Consequently, extensive clinical investigation should be considered if cfHPV-DNA is detected during follow-up of patients with HPV-driven OPSCC.

Details

ISSN :
15251578
Volume :
22
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....d52e788a8113f98aa9d1190e20789b77
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoldx.2020.08.002