Urine Test for Head and Neck Cancer

Current model of formation of trans-renal ctDNA
“Transrenal cell-free tumor DNA (TR-ctDNA), which transits from the bloodstream into urine, has the potential to enable noninvasive cancer detection for a wide variety of nonurologic cancer types. Using whole-genome sequencing, we [University of Michigan researchers] discovered that urine TR-ctDNA fragments across multiple cancer types are predominantly ultrashort (<50 bp) and, therefore, likely to be missed by conventional ctDNA assays. We developed an ultrashort droplet digital PCR assay to detect TR-ctDNA originating from HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) and confirmed that assaying ultrashort DNA is critical for sensitive cancer detection from urine samples. . . . . Our data indicate that focusing on ultrashort fragments of TR-ctDNA will be important for realizing the full potential of urine-based cancer diagnostics. This has implications for urine-based detection of a wide variety of cancer types and for facilitating access to care through at-home specimen collections.” MORE
Image Credit: ResearchGate, Artwork by Meda Schumacher, MA