Liquid Biopsy: Examination of platelet RNA obtained from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients for molecular tumor markers

The present study aims to clarify whether patients suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) could be recognized based on platelet mRNA sequencing (RNAseq). Sequencing analysis of RNA derived from platelets of tumor patients and healthy donors revealed significantly differentially expressed RNA encoding 618 genes. Among them, we identified RNA coding for 49 genes characteristically expressed in epithelial cells. Additionally, in tumor patient's platelets we observed RNA coding for genes involved in tumor progression by contributing to proliferation, metastasis or angiogenesis. Furthermore, 41 non-coding RNAs involved in transcription and translation have been identified. Results were verified by quantitative RT-PCR on platelet RNA derived from a second tumor patient / healthy donor cohort. However, in order to identify a combination of a certain set of genes allowing the identification of HNSCC based on platelet RNAseq further research is necessary. Overall design: 15 samples in total: 5 blood platelet of tumor patients, 5 blood platelet of healthy donors, 5 tumor tissue of patients