An Occult HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Discovered Through a Saliva Test

Kai Dun Tang; Kai Dun Tang; Sarju Vasani; Touraj Taheri; Touraj Taheri; Laurence J. Walsh; Brett G. M. Hughes; Brett G. M. Hughes; Lizbeth Kenny; Lizbeth Kenny; Lizbeth Kenny; Chamindie Punyadeera; Chamindie Punyadeera

doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.00408

Frontiers in Oncology (Mar 2020)

An Occult HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Discovered Through a Saliva Test

Kai Dun Tang,
Kai Dun Tang,
Sarju Vasani,
Touraj Taheri,
Touraj Taheri,
Laurence J. Walsh,
Brett G. M. Hughes,
Brett G. M. Hughes,
Lizbeth Kenny,
Lizbeth Kenny,
Lizbeth Kenny,
Chamindie Punyadeera,
Chamindie Punyadeera

Affiliations

Kai Dun Tang: Saliva and Liquid Biopsy Translational Research Team, The School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Kai Dun Tang: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Sarju Vasani: Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Touraj Taheri: Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Touraj Taheri: School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Laurence J. Walsh: The University of Queensland School of Dentistry, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Brett G. M. Hughes: School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Brett G. M. Hughes: Department of Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Lizbeth Kenny: School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Lizbeth Kenny: Department of Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Lizbeth Kenny: Central Integrated Regional Cancer Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Chamindie Punyadeera: Saliva and Liquid Biopsy Translational Research Team, The School of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Chamindie Punyadeera: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.00408
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

Read online

Oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) is a rising global concern. Early lesions are small and are often located in difficult to access areas (such as the crypts of the tonsils or base of tongue). Unlike cervical cancer, there is no standard or routine screening program for HPV-driven OPC. HPV DNA from OPC tumors may shed directly into saliva, and this can be used as a biomarker for early diagnosis. In this study, we report the first-ever clinically occult OPC in an asymptomatic patient discovered through a saliva test. This case relied upon serial measurements of HPV-16 DNA in saliva, which fell to undetectable levels following low morbidity, curative treatment.

Published in Frontiers in Oncology

ISSN: 2234-943X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords