Genomic Analysis of Head and Neck Cancers

These aggregate studies focus on specimens from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients who were treated with standard of care or window of opportunity clinical trial approaches. Specimens were interrogated with exome and RNA-Seq analysis. Patient derived xenografts (PDXs) represent a robust platform for performing co-clinical trial approaches. In the first study we generated a large panel of PDXs and compared genomic profiles between the primary tumor and matched PDX with the patients blood serving as a source of somatic variants. In the second study, we performed a window of opportunity clinical trial in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients using the MEK inhibitor trametinib. In addition, PDX models were generated from these specimens also and analyzed as in the first study. Finally, the third approach used pembrolizumab, an anti-PD1 blocking antibody, in a window of opportunity setting in HNSCC patients. For the latter two studies genomic matched sample analysis was performed to define response and resistance mechanisms. Together, these genomic data will inform several therapeutic approaches for HNSCC patients.]]>