Postoperative ctDNA in Drain Fluid to Detect Remaining Cancer in Head and Neck Cancer
Official title: Preanalytical Validation of Circulating Tumor DNA from Surgical Drain Fluid as a marker of Postoperative Minimal Residual Disease in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11402625 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-friendly test using fluid from surgical drains after head and neck cancer surgery may reveal tiny remaining cancer cells sooner.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $345,893 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA301249-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402625 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have undergone curative-intent surgical resection and are at risk for minimal residual disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without residual disease or those not undergoing post-surgical monitoring may derive limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project studies a new way to check for leftover cancer after surgery by looking at circulating tumor DNA in the drain fluid collected soon after surgery. Researchers will standardize how the drain fluid is collected and processed so the test is reliable and easy to use in hospitals. If successful, this approach could help doctors tailor further treatment to those who still have residual disease and avoid unnecessary therapy for others.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients could benefit from more precise after-surgery monitoring and better-informed decisions about additional therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest SDF ctDNA may predict relapse with higher accuracy than plasma ctDNA, indicating promise but needing validation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zevallos, Jose P. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Zevallos, Jose P.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.