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The Role of Circulating Tumour DNA in Head and Neck Cancer

NCT05539638 · Status: RECRUITING · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 250

Last updated 2026-03-17

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Cancers of the throat, oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), are highly prevalent across Scotland. Over the past 10 years, both global and Scottish cases of OPSCC have increased, particularly those associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). However there has been little change in techniques for diagnosis and monitoring. Although imaging technologies are improving, results of imaging are often indeterminate and clinicians require additional tools to make informed decisions. With this in mind our research team have established a range of blood- based tests which detect and monitor cancer DNA fragments shed by tumours into the blood stream in OPSCC patients. Our initial studies have shown that such tests, which are minimally invasive compared to surgical biopsy, hold the potential to provide an accurate, "real-time" method to monitor patient response to treatment, identify early relapse and assist in clinical decision making. The investigators aim to expand these results to assist clinical decisions for both virally associated and non-viral associated OPSCC. Following this, the investigators will focus on the poorest prognosis OPSCC group (non-HPV tumours) by applying state-of-the-art DNA detection and sequencing technologies to analyse tumour- derived DNA fragments in the bloodstream, to follow treatment response and to develop new methods for detecting relapse and resistance to treatment in OPSCC. Ultimately, the investigators envisage that the implementation of such genetic assays of tumours and the fragments that they release into the bloodstream will provide a transformative shift in the clinical assessment and quality of life of OPSCC patients in Scotland.

Conditions

  • Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Edinburgh

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Ashley Tay · NHS Lothian

  • Catriona Douglas · NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

  • Robin Crosbie · NHS Lanarkshire

  • Jaiganesh Manickavasagam · NHS Tayside

  • Kim Ah-see · NHS Grampian

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2022-08-14
Primary Completion
2027-08-31
Completion
2027-08-31

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT05539638 on ClinicalTrials.gov