Abstract

Background: We explore the utility of TruSight Tumor 170 panel (TST170) for detecting somatic mutations in tumor and cfDNA from locoregional recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: Targeted NGS of tumor DNA and plasma cfDNA was performed using TST170 panel. In addition, a set of somatic mutations previously described in HNSCC were selected for validating in tumor, plasma, and saliva by digital droplet PCR. Results: The TST170 panel identified 13 non-synonymous somatic mutations, of which five were detected in tumoral tissue, other five in plasma cfDNA, and three in both tissue and plasma cfDNA. Of the eight somatic mutations identified in tissue, three were also identified in plasma cfDNA, showing an overall concordance rate of 37.5%. Conclusions: This preliminary study shows the possibility to detect somatic mutations in tumor and plasma of HNSCC patients using a single assay that would facilitate the clinical implementation of personalized medicine in the clinic. Keywords: cell-free DNA; droplet digital PCR; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; liquid biopsy; next-generation sequencing; saliva; somatic mutations.