Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a promising breakthrough by developing a urine-based test designed to detect head, mouth and neck cancers, particularly those caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).
This noninvasive test is still in the discovery phase, but it holds promise for early cancer detection from the comfort of a patient’s home, says the university.
Urine offers several appealing features as a diagnostic biofluid. It is easy to collect at home, can be shipped to laboratories without significant handling concerns, and provides a noninvasive alternative to traditional biopsy methods. According to the research team, these attributes make urine an ideal medium for detecting biomarkers associated with cancer.
The study, led by Dr. Muneesh Tewari, a professor of hematology and oncology, Dr. J. Chad Brenner, an associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, and Dr. Paul L. Swiecicki, the associate medical director for the Oncology Clinical Trials Support Unit at the Rogel Cancer Center, focuses on detecting circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in urine. Their findings, published in JCI Insight, demonstrate that this test could detect HPV-positive head and neck cancers early and even monitor recurrences before they are visible on clinical imaging.
HPV and Mouth Cancers
HPV is widely known for its role in cervical cancer, but it is increasingly implicated in cancers of the mouth, throat, and other regions of the head and neck. The researchers’ urine-based test is particularly effective in detecting these HPV-associated cancers, making it a valuable tool in the fight against a type of cancer that has seen a significant rise in incidence.
“One of the most remarkable outcomes of this study is that the test detected cancer recurrences far earlier than would typically happen based on clinical imaging,” said Dr. Brenner, co-senior author of the study.
“These promising results have given us the confidence to broaden the scope of the study, seeking to expand distribution even further.”
Test Distributed to Patients
Currently, the test has been distributed for research purposes to patients within a 100-mile radius of Ann Arbor, where the university is located. This regional distribution allows researchers to collect significant data on the test’s effectiveness, which is crucial for validating its use in broader populations.
Defecting Other Cancers
Beyond head and neck cancers, the study also explored the potential of urine-based ctDNA detection for other cancers, including breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. The researchers discovered that ctDNA in urine could provide critical information about various cancers, opening the door for the development of urine-based diagnostic tests for multiple cancer types.
“Many people are not aware that urine carries information about different cancer types, although it is made in the kidneys,” noted Dr. Bhambhani, a collaborator on the study.
“Our findings about the difference in ctDNA fragment sizes and the test we developed for HPV-positive head and neck cancer detection provide crucial information on how urine-based diagnostic assays can be developed for different cancers.”
This innovative approach to cancer detection could revolutionize early diagnosis, making it more accessible and less invasive, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.