Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Description

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a blood-based test that measures dying or dead cancer cells that are already circulating in the blood. In this study, the investigators will enroll patients who are planning to receive surgery to remove their head and neck cancer. The investigators are interested to learn how ctDNA levels change with surgery and over the course of time. The investigators also want to determine if there are certain features of the tumor or the patient themselves that might cause ctDNA to be higher than other patients. Also, the investigators want to explore if the detection of ctDNA following surgery is related to cancer recurrence.

Conditions

Head and Neck Neoplasm, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a blood-based test that measures dying or dead cancer cells that are already circulating in the blood. In this study, the investigators will enroll patients who are planning to receive surgery to remove their head and neck cancer. The investigators are interested to learn how ctDNA levels change with surgery and over the course of time. The investigators also want to determine if there are certain features of the tumor or the patient themselves that might cause ctDNA to be higher than other patients. Also, the investigators want to explore if the detection of ctDNA following surgery is related to cancer recurrence.

Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Condition
Head and Neck Neoplasm
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27599

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Written informed consent obtained to participate in the study and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information. Consent for the use of any residual material from biopsy and/or surgical resection (archival tissue) and serial blood draws will be required for enrollment.
  • * Age ≥ 18 years of age on day of signing informed consent
  • * Newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, including the following subtypes: oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx
  • * Must be planning to undergo gross total resection of the primary tumor with curative intent at UNC-CH hospital
  • * No prior, definitive therapy to primary tumor. Must meet one of the following clinical stages: T3-T4 (if T1/T2 must have nodal involvement), Any N, M0
  • * Patient must be amenable to receiving adjuvant therapy with radiotherapy +/- systemic therapy, as clinically indicated, based on either standard of care (SOC) or appropriate clinical trial.
  • * Diagnostic tumor material must be available for correlative analysis
  • * Subject is willing and able to comply with study procedures based on the judgement of the investigator or protocol designee
  • * Has known evidence of metastatic disease based on clinical or radiographic studies
  • * Women who are pregnant or nursing
  • * History of another primary malignancy in the last 5 years prior to registration. Patients with history of in situ cancer or basal or localized squamous cell skin cancers are eligible.
  • * Patients with primary skin cancers of the head and neck, including basal or squamous cell cancers
  • * Prior chemotherapy, IP, biologic, or hormonal therapy for HNSCC treatment. Concurrent use of hormonal therapy for non-cancer-related conditions (e.g., hormone replacement therapy) is acceptable.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center,

Siddharth Sheth, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, UNC Health Care

Gaorav Gupta, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Study Record Dates

2026-02-02