27P Plasma-derived exosomes as biomarkers for therapy monitoring in head and neck cancer patients treated with surgery and (chemo)radiotherapy

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are highly immunosuppressive and aggressive malignancies. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that mediate intercellular communication. HNSCC patients have a significantly higher exosome load compared to healthy donors. Plasma-derived exosomes of HNSCC patients carry immunomodulatory molecules, and their cargo correlates with clinical parameters. In this pilot study, we evaluated the potential of plasma-derived exosomes to serve as biomarkers for therapy monitoring in locally advanced HNSCC patients treated with conventional therapy.