MDSpire - Takeaway
Clinical Guidelines
Feature

Will Circulating Tumor DNA Help Predict HPV-Related Throat Cancer?

A Keck Medicine of USC head and neck surgeon discusses circulating HPV DNA as a biomarker that could help make more individualized treatment decisions.

  • March 24, 2026

  • 5 min

Share

  • 1

    HPV ctDNA is a promising biomarker for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

  • 2

    Daniel Kwon, MD, leads research at the USC Head and Neck Center.

  • 3

    Blood tests for HPV ctDNA allow early detection and monitoring of treatment.

  • 4

    The approach targets more individualized treatment plans for patients.

  • 5

    Further studies are needed to validate HPV ctDNA as a reliable biomarker.

  • 6

    This research may lead to fewer unnecessary treatments for patients.

Original Source(s)

Will Circulating Tumor DNA Help Predict HPV-Related Throat Cancer?

  • March 24, 2026

Related Content

Platelet-Rich Plasma Reduces Pain After Tonsillectomy

Randomized trial shows reduced postoperative pain and faster mucosal healing without increased bleeding risk

Opioid Prescribing Trends After Guidelines

Large US data set tracks postoperative analgesic use over a decade.

CRS Trial Reveals Surgery Divide

MACRO qualitative study explores why patients differ in attitudes toward endoscopic sinus surgery.