Identifying biomarkers for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to identify specific biomarkers that indicate the presence of HPV-mediated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Participants will provide blood and saliva samples, complete questionnaires, and have their medical records reviewed. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with clinical stage III or IV HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma, as well as those with recurrent or metastatic forms of the disease. The goal is to find biomarkers that are present during disease states and absent in healthy individuals or those without the disease.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years
* Able to provide written consent
* Groups 1-3:

  * Must undergo p16 staining on biopsy for enrollment
  * Patients with \< 70% of tumor cells positive for p16 will be considered p16 negative
  * Must undergo HPV16 family in situ hybridization (ISH) and/or RNA on biopsy or surgical specimen, unless amount of tissue is too small to have conclusive HPV ISH testing done on it
  * Willingness and intent to return in person to enrolling institution for follow-up (during the Active Monitoring Phase of the study) for at least 2 of the standard follow-up time points for a total of 3 time-points including pre-treatment. A participant who does not return in person to Mayo Clinic Rochester for every standard of care post-treatment follow up will not be considered deviating from the protocol
* Group 4:

  * Clinical suspicion or histopathologic diagnosis of head and neck cancer or neoplasm

    * Primary salivary neoplasm
    * Primary thyroid neoplasm
    * Primary head and neck neoplasm
    * Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) testing concerning for cancer
* Patient has given permission to give his/her tumor/tissue/blood/saliva sample for research testing
* Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance
* Primary language: English, Spanish, Arabic

Exclusion Criteria:

* Receiving any other investigational agent which would be considered as a treatment for the primary neoplasm.
* Groups 1-3:

  * Other active malignancy ≤ 5 years prior to registration

    * EXCEPTIONS: Non-melanotic skin cancer, non-metastatic thyroid cancer, non-metastatic prostate cancer, carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix, HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (which can be enrolled in group 3)
    * NOTE: If there is a history of prior malignancy, they must not be receiving other specific treatment for their cancer
  * History of any head and neck malignancy, other than the tumor for which they are being treated
* Group 4, Cohort A, B, C:

  * Other active malignancy ≤ 5 years prior to registration

    * EXCEPTIONS: Non-metastatic prostate cancer, carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix, non metastatic cutaneous basal cell carcinoma
    * NOTE: If there is a history or prior malignancy, they must not be receiving other specific treatment for their cancer
  * History of any head and neck malignancy, other than the present neoplasm
  * Note these are clarifications of inclusion into Group 4, Cohorts D and E:

    * Presence of other active malignancy or recurrent head and neck neoplasms are allowed in this arm
    * Receipt of cancer specific therapy for other malignancy is allowed in this arm

Where it's running

• Mayo Clinic in Rochester
  Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kathryn M. Van Abel, MD — Mayo Clinic in Rochester
• Study coordinator: Clinical Trials Referral Office
• Email: mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu
• Phone: 855-776-0015

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.