Resumen
Classical markers alone, such as HPV DNA, p16 and HPV mRNA expression, are not enough to stratify HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, but when combined with serological markers, the latter are strong indicators of prognosis in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients. Specifically, HPV16 E7 oncoprotein in serum at the time of diagnosis, correlates with disease recurrence and patient overall survival. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate HPV E7 oncoprotein in patient serum. The E7 oncoprotein detection in serum at the time of diagnosis may be useful as a non-invasive procedure for HPV-positive OPSCC patient stratification and follow-up, helping to identify patients at risk for tumor recurrence and metastasis during follow-up, and ultimately, providing a tool for clinicians to identify patients for de-escalation treatment or those to be kept under close surveillance.