头颈鳞状细胞癌 (HNSCC) 患者发生复发和继发性癌症的风险很高。本研究评估了 HNSCC 中循环肿瘤细胞 (CTC) 的预后和监测效用。总共招募了 154 名 HNSCC 患者，并随访了 4.5 年。在基线和随访时收集血样。使用螺旋微流体装置分离 CTC。在随访期间评估癌症复发和死亡。在 HNSCC 患者中，基线时 CTC 的存在是复发（OR = 8.40，p < 0.0001）和死亡（OR= ∞，p < 0.0001）的预测因子。基线时患有 CTC 的患者生存结果较差 (p<0.0001)。此外，我们的研究发现，在随访预约中患有 CTC 的患者在下次临床就诊之前，因 HNSCC 复发或死亡的可能性高出 2.5 倍 (p<0.05)。我们的研究强调了 CTC 在 HNSCC 患者中的预后和监测效用。早期识别 CTC 有助于精确的风险评估、指导治疗选择并最终改善患者的治疗效果。© 2024。作者。

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are at a high risk of developing recurrence and secondary cancers. This study evaluates the prognostic and surveillance utilities of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in HNSCC. A total of 154 HNSCC patients were recruited and followed up for 4.5 years. Blood samples were collected at baseline and follow-up. CTCs were isolated using a spiral microfluid device. Recurrence and death due to cancer were assessed during the follow-up period. In patients with HNSCC, the presence of CTCs at baseline was a predictor of recurrence (OR = 8.40, p < 0.0001) and death (OR= ∞, p < 0.0001). Patients with CTCs at baseline had poor survival outcomes (p < 0.0001). Additionally, our study found that patients with CTCs in a follow-up appointment were 2.5 times more likely to experience recurrence or death from HNSCC (p < 0.05) prior to their next clinical visit. Our study highlights the prognostic and monitoring utilities of CTCs' in HNSCC patients. Early identification of CTCs facilitates precise risk assessment, guiding treatment choices and ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.© 2024. The Author(s).