What does this research mean for the field?

A tissue-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay demonstrates high sensitivity (94.4%) and specificity (100%) for disease monitoring in both HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the detection characteristics of an individualized, tissue-informed circulating tumor DNA assay across pretreatment and surveillance settings in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

September 5, 2026JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Tissue-Informed ctDNA Assay Performance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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Authors

RSRyan M. Sicard PCPeter V. Cooke ASAlyssa Steinbaum

Discussion

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Overview

Retrospective cohort study demonstrates high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for personalized ctDNA assays in head and neck cancer, indicating strong utility for disease surveillance.

Key Points

To evaluate the detection characteristics of an individualized, tissue-informed circulating tumor DNA assay across pretreatment and surveillance settings in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Retrospective cohort study of adults with HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated at an urban tertiary care center between December 2024 and March 2026.
Individualized ctDNA blood tests were developed from tumor tissue collected by fine-needle aspiration or surgical biopsy.
Assessed test detection rates in a pretreatment cohort (N=77) and diagnostic metrics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) in a surveillance cohort (N=107; median follow-up 18 months posttreatment).
In the pretreatment cohort, tissue-informed ctDNA was successfully detected in 92.2% of patients (71 of 77).
In surveillance, per-test performance demonstrated 95.2% sensitivity (20 of 21; 95% CI, 83.3%-100%), 100% specificity (157 of 157; 95% CI, 100%-100%), 100% PPV (20 of 20; 95% CI, 100%-100%), and 99.4% NPV (157 of 158; 95% CI, 97.9%-100%).
On a per-patient surveillance basis, sensitivity was 94.4% (17 of 18; 95% CI, 72.7%-99.9%), specificity was 100% (89 of 89; 95% CI, 95.9%-100%), PPV was 100% (17 of 17; 95% CI, 80.5%-100%), and NPV was 98.9% (89 of 90; 95% CI, 93.0%-99.8%).

Cite This Study

Sicard et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4726b95aff0620ec2c8 https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2026.2469

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September 5, 2026JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery

Tissue-Informed ctDNA Assay Performance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RSRyan M. Sicard PCPeter V. Cooke ASAlyssa Steinbaum

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Retrospective cohort study demonstrates high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for personalized ctDNA assays in head and neck cancer, indicating strong utility for disease surveillance.

Key Points

To evaluate the detection characteristics of an individualized, tissue-informed circulating tumor DNA assay across pretreatment and surveillance settings in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Retrospective cohort study of adults with HPV-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated at an urban tertiary care center between December 2024 and March 2026.
Individualized ctDNA blood tests were developed from tumor tissue collected by fine-needle aspiration or surgical biopsy.
Assessed test detection rates in a pretreatment cohort (N=77) and diagnostic metrics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) in a surveillance cohort (N=107; median follow-up 18 months posttreatment).
In the pretreatment cohort, tissue-informed ctDNA was successfully detected in 92.2% of patients (71 of 77).
In surveillance, per-test performance demonstrated 95.2% sensitivity (20 of 21; 95% CI, 83.3%-100%), 100% specificity (157 of 157; 95% CI, 100%-100%), 100% PPV (20 of 20; 95% CI, 100%-100%), and 99.4% NPV (157 of 158; 95% CI, 97.9%-100%).
On a per-patient surveillance basis, sensitivity was 94.4% (17 of 18; 95% CI, 72.7%-99.9%), specificity was 100% (89 of 89; 95% CI, 95.9%-100%), PPV was 100% (17 of 17; 95% CI, 80.5%-100%), and NPV was 98.9% (89 of 90; 95% CI, 93.0%-99.8%).

Cite This Study

Sicard et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4726b95aff0620ec2c8 https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2026.2469

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark