Whole-genome sequencing-based ctHPVDNA detection has highest sensitivity, specificity for HNSCC<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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THURSDAY, May 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Human papillomavirus (HPV) whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection has the highest sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), according to a study published online May 20 in Clinical Cancer Research<\/em>.<\/p>\n Michael E. Bryan, from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues developed a multifeature HPV WGS liquid biopsy for improved low-level ctHPVDNA detection. Blood samples were tested from 304 participants: 152 with untreated incident HPV + HNSCC and 152 general population controls. WGS-based ctHPVDNA detection was compared to single-plex Droplet Digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR)-based ctHPVDNA detection, multiplex ddPCR-based ctHPVDNA detection, multiplex HPV antibody (Ab) detection, and clinical standard-of-care tissue biopsy.<\/p>\n The researchers found that the sensitivity and specificity of HPV WGS were 98.7 and 98.7 percent, respectively, compared with 94.2 and 98.6 percent for single-plex ddPCR; 90.6 and 96.3 percent for multiplex ddPCR; and 86.4 and 96.3 percent for HPV Ab, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity were 87.4 and 98.8 percent for a combinatorial approach using both HPV WGS and HPV Ab. In a head-to-head comparison, significantly improved diagnostic accuracy was seen for HPV WGS compared with ddPCR, HPV Ab, and clinical workup (Youden index, 0.99 versus 0.90, 0.83, and 0.82, respectively); this was maintained in an analysis of early-stage disease cases only. HPV WGS yielded the lowest number needed to screen (2,903 men) and the highest positive predictive value (2.6) for men aged 55 to 74 years.<\/p>\n “Taken together, these results highlight the potential utility of an HPV WGS liquid biopsy approach for screening, early detection, and diagnosis of HPV + HNSCC,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry; one author has a study-related patent pending.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n