Epigenomes
Markers of Biological Aging and Survival in Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer Patients Receiving Immunotherapy
By Nannini DR, Haque I, Banerjee SK and 1 others.
Abstract
Background/objectives
Immunotherapy has become a cornerstone in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC), but reliable noninvasive biomarkers of prognosis remain limited. We investigated the associations between markers of biological aging and survival outcomes among patients with R/M HNSCC treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
Methods
Peripheral blood samples collected prior to ICI initiation from 100 patients with R/M HNSCC underwent DNA methylation profiling using the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC array. Four epigenetic age acceleration measures were estimated from DNA methylation levels and evaluated for associations with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).