Using Liquid Biopsies to Monitor Treatment and Detect Early Recurrence in HPV-Related Cervical and Oropharyngeal Cancers

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the use of liquid biopsies to monitor treatment and detect early recurrence in cancers related to human papillomavirus HPV, focusing on cervical cancer CC and oropharyngeal cancer OPC. The study aims to find a sensitive and specific combination of sampling methods and biomarkers to identify patients at risk of disease returning, thereby improving care quality and reducing burden. The study includes two main groups about 200 OPC patients Arm A and patients with CC or high-grade cervical lesions Arm B. Each arm has prospective and retrospective parts. Samples taken include fresh tumor tissue before treatment and archived tissue afterward. Various liquid biopsies such as gargle lavage, oropharyngeal swabs, breath condensate, blood, and cervicovaginal swabs will be collected at set times before and after treatment and during follow-up for up to five years. Participants will provide samples regularly during follow-up visits, with HPV DNA and tumor mutation profiles monitored over time. The study tracks changes in circulating tumor HPV DNA and gene alterations to develop an algorithm predicting recurrence risk. The total observation period spans four years, during which clinical data and laboratory results are correlated to assess disease dynamics and treatment impact.

Role of Liquid Biopsies in HPV-associated Cancer Treatment Monitoring