Researchers discover urine-based tests to detect head and neck cancer

At home tests can detect tumour DNA fragments in urine samples, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood-based biomarker tests

Researchers from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center have created a urine-based test that detects pieces of DNA fragments released by head and neck tumours. The test could potentially facilitate early detection of this cancer type, which currently does not have a reliable screening method.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely recognized for causing cervical cancer but is increasingly found to cause cancers in the mouth, throat and other head and neck regions. 

Early detection is critical because detecting cancer at an earlier stage can lead to better outcomes for patients. 

Small size

Using whole genome sequencing, the Rogel group showed that cell-free DNA fragments released by tumour cells, which are passed on from the bloodstream into urine through the kidneys, are predominantly ultra short, with fewer than 50 base pairs. Given their small size, these fragments are likely to be missed using conventional urine or blood-based liquid biopsy tests in detecting circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). 

The research was led by Muneesh Tewari, M.D., Ph.D., professor of haematology and oncology, J. Chad Brenner, Ph.D., associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and Paul L. Swiecicki, M.D., associate medical director for the Oncology Clinical Trials Support Unit at Rogel. Initial results are published in JCI Insight.  You can read more here…https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/researchers-discover-urine-based-test-detect-head-and-neck-cancer