Abstract | PURPOSE: MATERIAL AND METHODS: We sequenced the tumour samples of 20 patients with locally advanced HNSCC to identify driver mutations. Subsequently, we performed a longitudinal analysis of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) dynamics during RCTX. Deep sequencing and UMI-based error suppression for the identification of driver mutations and HPV levels in the plasma enabled treatment-response monitoring prior, during and after RCTX. RESULTS: In 85% of all patients ctDNA was detectable, showing a significant correlation with the gross tumour volume (p-value 0.032). Additionally, the tumour allele fraction in the plasma was negatively correlated with the course of treatment (p-value <0.05). If ctDNA was detectable at the first follow-up, disease recurrence was seen later on. Circulating HPV DNA (cvDNA) could be detected in three patients at high levels, showing a similar dynamic behaviour to the ctDNA throughout treatment, and disappeared after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring RCTX treatment-response using liquid biopsy in patients with locally advanced HNSCC is feasible. CtDNA can be seen as a surrogate marker of disease burden, tightly correlating with the gross tumour volume prior to the treatment start. The observed kinetic of ctDNA and cvDNA showed a negative correlation with time and treatment dosage in most patients.
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Authors | Franz J Hilke, Francesc Muyas, Jakob Admard, Beate Kootz, Dominik Nann, Stefan Welz, Olaf Rieß, Daniel Zips, Stephan Ossowski, Christopher Schroeder, Kerstin Clasen |
Journal | Radiotherapy and oncology : journal of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
(Radiother Oncol)
Vol. 151
Pg. 182-189
(10 2020)
ISSN: 1879-0887 [Electronic] Ireland |
PMID | 32687856
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Circulating Tumor DNA
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Topics |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Chemoradiotherapy
- Circulating Tumor DNA
(genetics)
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
(genetics, therapy)
- Humans
- Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
(genetics, therapy)
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