RT Journal Article
T1 Circulating Cell-Free DNA Concentration as a Biomarker in Head and Neck Cancer
A1 Rodríguez Ces, Ana María
A1 Rapado González, Óscar
A1 Aguín Losada, Santiago
A1 Formoso García, Inés
A1 López Cedrún, José Luis
A1 Triana Martínez, Gabriel
A1 López López, Rafael
A1 Suárez Cunqueiro, María Mercedes
K1 Biomarker
K1 Cell-free DNA
K1 Diagnostic
K1 Head and neck cancer
K1 Quantification
AB ObjectiveHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), particularly human papillomavirus (HPV) -negative HNSCC, poses a significant clinical challenge due to late diagnoses and poor survival. This study evaluates the potential of circulating cell-free DNA (ccfDNA) as a minimally invasive biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring in HNSCC.MethodsWe conducted a multicentre, prospective study enrolling 85 patients across all disease stages and 28 healthy controls, using two quantification ccfDNA methods: fluorometry (Qubit) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).ResultsBaseline plasma ccfDNA concentrations were significantly elevated in HNSCC patients compared to healthy controls, with an area under the curve of 0.705. Higher ccfDNA levels were observed in early-stage HNSCC patients. While ccfDNA levels correlated with age, no significant associations were found with tumour stage or location. Patients with lower post-treatment ccfDNA levels demonstrated longer median progression-free survival (PFS) (16.37 months vs. 9.63 months, p < 0.05). Longitudinal analysis of locally advanced HNSCC revealed significant inter-patient variability in ccfDNA kinetics.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates the potential value of fluorometric ccfDNA quantification as a diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring biomarker for HNSCC. However, further well-designed studies must be carried out to enhance the clinical utility of ccfDNA as a biomarker for HNSCC management.
PB Wiley
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/42819
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/42819
LA eng
NO Rodríguez-Ces, A. M., Ó. Rapado-González, S. Aguín-Losada, et al. 2025. “ Circulating Cell-Free DNA Concentration as a Biomarker in Head and Neck Cancer.” Oral Diseases 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/odi.70002
NO This research was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and co-funded by the European Union (Grant PI20/01449). A.M.R.G. is funded by a Predoctoral Research Fellowship from Axencia Galega de Innovación (GAIN), Programa de Ayudas a la Etapa Predoctoral de la Xunta de Galicia (IN606A-2021/007). O.R.G. is funded by a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from Axencia Galega de Innovación (GAIN), Programa de Ayudas a la Etapa Posdoctoral de la Xunta de Galicia (IN606B-2022/007).
DS Minerva
RD 8 jun 2026