A tumor DNA-Methylome derived signature of Hypoxia Identifies HPV-negative head and neck cancer patients at risk for distant metastasis after postoperative radiochemotherapy (PORT-C).

Summary: Head and neck cancer can be hard to treat, especially when the tumor does not get enough oxygen (a condition called hypoxia). Doctors have found a special DNA test that looks for signs of low oxygen in these tumors. In a new study of 134 patients, they used this test after the patients had surgery and radiation. They found that the test can strongly predict if the cancer will spread to other parts of the body. This helps doctors know which patients are at the highest risk and might need extra care, even after their tumors are removed.