Retrospective cohort study of determinants of circulating tumor HPV DNA in surgically treated oropharyngeal cancer

A retrospective review and cohort study at The Ohio State University (Columbus) investigated clinicopathologic variables associated with circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPVDNA) before and after surgery in patients with HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). A total of 104 patients with HPV-associated OPSCC were treated with upfront surgery had preoperative ctHPVDNA measurement and 74 patients had preoperative and postoperative assessments. Preoperative ctHPVDNA levels were independently associated with kidney function, nodal stage, perineural invasion, and extranodal extension. Detectable postoperative levels were present in 20% of of patients and positively associated with with preoperative ctHPVDNA levels, pathologic nodal stage, perineural invason, and extranodal extensions. The authors conclude that clinicopathologic factors are associated with ctHPVDNA dynamics in patients with OPSCC who are treated with surgery.