Despite effective treatments such as chemoradiation, approximately 30 per cent to 40 per cent of cervical cancer patients experience a relapse of the disease.
Early detection of relapse is critical for effectively managing and treating cancer; however, common clinical factors – such as cancer stage – are often inadequate predictors of relapse due to factors such as the unique and dynamic nature of cancer tumours.
HPV is a virus that is known to cause cervical cancer. When tumour cells undergo changes or die, they release fragments of DNA into the bloodstream.
By examining the genetic material associated with HPV (HPV ctDNA), researchers can assess the progression of cervical cancer and identify patients who are at high risk of relapse.
A team led by Dr. Kathy Han, a clinician scientist at the Princess Margaret, set out to validate the effectiveness of measuring HPV ctDNA as a method for early detection of cervical cancer relapse.
Fellow cancer centre researchers Dr. Jinfeng Zou, a scientific associate, research technician Zhen Zhao and Dr. Scott Bratman, a Senior Scientist at the Princess Margaret and associate professor in the Departments of Medical Biophysics and Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto (U of T), as well as Dr. Eric Leung, a radiation oncologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, are co-authors of the study.
"Shorter PFS is reflective of a higher risk of disease relapse."
Researchers followed patients for approximately two years post-treatment and used advanced next-generation DNA sequencing techniques to analyze their blood samples. Results showed that patients with detectable HPV ctDNA post-chemoradiation had shorter PFS compared to those who had undetectable levels.
"These results have major implications for patients," says Dr. Han, who is also associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at U of T. "The ability to identify those at high risk of relapse at such early stages opens the door for more personalized treatment plans with more aggressive interventions when necessary.
"This could significantly improve the outcomes for individuals with virus-related cancers."
As cervical cancer remains a prevalent health issue, this research represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to enhance detection methods and ultimately, improve patient outcomes.
These findings are poised to impact clinical practices and may serve as a foundation for future studies exploring tailored treatment strategies based on HPV ctDNA testing.
This work was supported by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Cancer Research Society, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, the BMO Financial Group Chair in Precision Cancer Genomics, and the Dr. Mariano Elia Chair in Head & Neck Cancer Research at UHN and the University of Toronto
Disclosures of Potential Conflicts of Interest
Dr. Kathy Han is an advisor for AstraZeneca and has a patent pending on the detection of HPV circulating tumour DNA. A full list of disclosed potential conflicts of interest can be found in the study.
This story first appeared on UHN News