Prediction of Residual Disease by Circulating DNA Detection After Potentiated Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Launched by CENTRE JEAN PERRIN · Jan 24, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to check if there is remaining cancer after treatment in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. The trial focuses on using a special test that looks for pieces of cancer DNA in the blood, called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Researchers believe that this test may give more accurate information about whether the cancer has responded to treatment compared to traditional imaging methods like PET/CT scans. By doing this, they hope to improve how doctors can predict if the cancer will come back after treatment.

To participate in the trial, you must be between 18 and 80 years old and have a specific type of head and neck cancer that has not been treated before. It's important that the cancer involves lymph nodes and is either resectable (can be surgically removed) or unresectable (cannot be removed). Participants will need to provide a blood sample and agree to the study. If you qualify and choose to take part, you can expect close monitoring through blood tests and imaging to see how well the treatment is working. This study is being conducted at multiple centers and aims to find better ways to manage and treat head and neck cancer.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 80 years
• • Histologically confirmed, never treated squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node involvement
• • squamous cell carcinoma p16+or p16-, stage III, IVa or IVb, N1 minimum, resectable but not operated or unresectable, with indication for potentiated radiotherapy
• • Oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx or larynx, cervical adenopathies without primary
• • Availability of FFPE samples prior to treatment initiation
• • Detection of circulating DNA in the initial blood sample
• • Obtaining informed consent from the patient
• • Affiliation to the French social security system
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Tumor of the nasopharynx, sinuses, nasal cavity, salivary glands or thyroid cancer
• • Treatment by exclusive radiotherapy
• • Contraindication to cervical lymph node dissection
• • Metastatic disease (stage IVc)
• • Previous treatment for head and neck cancer
• • History of other cancer in the last 3 years (except carcinoma in situ, basal cell skin carcinoma, localized prostate cancer Gleason 6)
• • Pregnant or breastfeeding woman
• • Patient under guardianship or curators
• • Psychological disorder (cognitive disorders, vigilance disorders, etc.) or social reasons (deprivation of liberty by judicial or administrative decision) or geographical reasons that could compromise the medical follow-up of the trial or compliance with the treatment