Cell-free circulating DNA-methylation as biomarker for monitoring adjuvant and palliative immunotherapies

Background New medical treatment options, i.e. anti-PD-1 immunotherapies, result in a need for diagnostics that support the decision for a timely therapy change in case of non-response or recurrence. Circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ccfDNA), which can be specifically discriminated from ccfDNA of other origin by the DNA methylation of the genes SHOX2 and SEPT9, is detectable in blood from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and represents a promising biomarker.

Materials and Methods This prospective study (ethical vote: seq. no. 301/19) includes recurrent/metastatic and localized high-risk HNSCC patients who receive palliative or adjuvant anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, respectively. We analyze ccfDNA methylation at baseline and during therapy and correlate ccfDNA methylation changes with response and recurrence-free survival, respectively.

Results An interim analysis of the first patients (N = 20) shows general feasibility for the application of ccfDNA methylation for monitoring patients receiving adjuvant or palliative immunotherapy.

Conclusion SHOX2 and SEPT9 ccfDNA methylation testing in blood from HNSCC patients receiving immunotherapy could represent a valuable adjunct to imaging for diagnosis of progressive or recurrent disease.

Poster-PDF A-1329.pdf

Conflict of interest

Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenskonflikt an.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021