Determinants of Circulating Tumor HPV DNA in Surgically Treated Oropharyngeal Cancer

Which clinicopathologic variables are associated with circulating tumor human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA (ctHPVDNA) before and after surgery in HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC)?In this cohort study of 104 patients HPV-mediated OPSCC, preoperative ctHPVDNA levels were independently associated with kidney function, nodal stage, perineural invasion (PNI), and extranodal extension (ENE). Detectable postoperative levels were present in 20% of patients and positively associated with preoperative ctHPVDNA levels, pathologic nodal stage, PNI, and ENE.The study results suggest that clinicopathologic factors are associated with ctHPVDNA dynamics in patients with oropharynx cancer who are treated with surgery.

Corresponding Author: Catherine T. Haring, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University, 410 W 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210 (catherine.haring@osumc.edu).

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