Circulating Tumor DNA in Human Papillomavirus–Mediated Oropharynx Cancer

Abstract

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has become an area of intense study in many solid malignancies including head and neck cancer. This is of particular interest for human papillomavirus–mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma as this cohort of patients has excellent survival and is undergoing current clinical trials aimed at treatment de-escalation. Recent studies have demonstrated the prognostic implications of pretreatment ctDNA and the utility of monitoring ctDNA during and posttreatment; however, there is a need for a more critical understanding of ctDNA as it is beginning to be incorporated into clinical trials. This review discusses the current state of ctDNA in oropharynx cancer focusing on ctDNA kinetics and minimal residual disease detection and ends with a discussion of future applications.