"Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes an estimated 70 percent of head and neck cancers in the U.S., making it the most common cancer caused by the virus. Yet unlike cervical cancers caused by HPV, there is no screening test for HPV-associated head and neck cancers. In a new federally funded study, Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham researchers show that a novel liquid biopsy tool they developed, called HPV-DeepSeek, can identify HPV-associated head and neck cancer up to 10 years before symptoms appear."
"HPV-DeepSeek uses whole-genome sequencing to detect microscopic fragments of HPV DNA that have broken off from a tumor and entered the bloodstream. Previous research from this team showed the test could achieve 99 percent specificity and 99 percent sensitivity for diagnosing cancer at the first time of presentation to a clinic, outperforming current testing methods."
"By the time patients enter our clinics with symptoms from the cancer, they require treatments that cause significant, life-long side effects. We hope tools like HPV-DeepSeek will allow us to catch these cancers at their very earliest stages, which ultimately can improve patient outcomes and quality of life."
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes an estimated 70 percent of head and neck cancers in the U.S. and no screening test currently exists for these cancers. A novel liquid biopsy tool named HPV-DeepSeek can identify HPV-associated head and neck cancer up to 10 years before symptoms appear. HPV-DeepSeek employs whole-genome sequencing to detect microscopic fragments of HPV DNA shed from tumors into the bloodstream. Previous findings indicate the test can achieve 99 percent specificity and 99 percent sensitivity at initial clinic presentation, outperforming current diagnostic methods. Earlier detection may allow higher treatment success, less intensive regimens, and reduced long-term side effects.
Read at Harvard Gazette
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