Objectives:Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer globally, with HPV-positive cases emerging as a distinct subtype with unique clinical and molecular characteristics. Current diagnostic methods, including tissue biopsy and imaging, face limitations in terms of invasiveness, static disease assessment, and difficulty in distinguishing recurrence from treatment-related changes. This review aimed to assess the potential of liquid biopsy as a minimally invasive tool for the diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and surveillance of HPV-associated HNSCC.Methods:This systematic review analyzed literature from PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science, focusing on original research and reviews related to liquid biopsy applications in HPV-positive HNSCC. Included studies were evaluated based on the robustness of the study design, clinical relevance, and analytical performance of liquid biopsy technologies. Biomarker types, detection methods, and implementation strategies were assessed to identify advancements and challenges in this field.Results:Liquid biopsy technologies, including circulating HPV DNA, ctDNA, and extracellular vesicles, demonstrated high sensitivity (90–95%) and specificity (>98%) in detecting HPV-positive HNSCC. These methods enabled real-time monitoring of tumor dynamics, early detection of recurrence, and insights into treatment resistance. Longitudinal analysis revealed that biomarker clearance during treatment correlates strongly with patient outcomes.Conclusions:Liquid biopsy is a transformative diagnostic and monitoring tool for HPV-associated HNSCC, offering minimally invasive, real-time insights into tumor biology. While challenges remain in standardization and clinical implementation, ongoing research and technological innovations hold promise for integrating liquid biopsy into personalized cancer care, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
目的：头颈部鳞状细胞癌是全球第六大常见癌症，其中人乳头瘤病毒阳性病例已成为具有独特临床和分子特征的独立亚型。现有诊断方法（包括组织活检和影像学检查）在侵入性、静态疾病评估以及难以区分复发与治疗相关改变等方面存在局限。本综述旨在评估液体活检作为微创工具在人乳头瘤病毒相关头颈部鳞状细胞癌诊断、治疗监测及随访中的应用潜力。 方法：本系统性综述分析了PubMed/MEDLINE、Embase和Web of Science数据库中关于液体活检在人乳头瘤病毒阳性头颈部鳞状细胞癌应用的相关原创研究及综述文献。纳入研究根据实验设计的严谨性、临床相关性及液体活检技术的分析性能进行评估。通过分析生物标志物类型、检测方法和实施策略，明确该领域的研究进展与现存挑战。 结果：液体活检技术（包括循环人乳头瘤病毒DNA、循环肿瘤DNA和细胞外囊泡）在检测人乳头瘤病毒阳性头颈部鳞状细胞癌时表现出高灵敏度（90-95%）和高特异性（>98%）。这些方法能够实现肿瘤动态的实时监测、早期发现复发迹象，并为治疗耐药性研究提供依据。纵向分析显示，治疗期间生物标志物的清除情况与患者预后密切相关。 结论：液体活检是人乳头瘤病毒相关头颈部鳞状细胞癌的革新性诊断与监测工具，能以微创方式实时反映肿瘤生物学特征。尽管在标准化和临床实施方面仍存在挑战，持续的研究和技术创新有望推动液体活检整合至个体化癌症诊疗体系，最终改善患者预后。
Liquid Biopsy in HPV-Associated Head and Neck Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家