Innovative Diagnostic Tool Predicts Surgical Success in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Researchers from the University of Turku and Turku University Hospital in Finland have developed a groundbreaking diagnostic method that could significantly influence treatment strategies for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Led by Docent Sami Ventelä and Professor Jukka Westermarck, the team created an immunohistochemical assay to detect the LIMA1-alpha protein, which serves as a reliable marker for determining whether patients can be effectively treated with surgery alone. This advancement aims to spare patients from additional treatments like radiation or chemotherapy, which often come with severe side effects and impact quality of life.

Published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, the study showcases how the assay can identify high expression levels of LIMA1-alpha, associated with poorer survival outcomes, while LIMA1-negative tumors correspond to excellent prognoses without further therapy. In a prospective clinical study involving all five Finnish university hospitals, patients with LIMA1-negative tumors did not succumb to the disease during a two-year follow-up, highlighting the biomarker’s predictive power.

Using specific antibodies, the researchers demonstrated the assay’s robustness across various tissue samples, making it a promising tool for personalized cancer care. The biological experiments also indicated that LIMA1 facilitates processes like epithelial–mesenchymal transition, contributing to increased invasiveness of cancer cells.

Currently, the clinical landscape mainly relies on biomarkers such as p16 and PD-L1, which have limitations in stratifying early-stage disease. The introduction of the LIMA1-alpha test could fill this gap, enabling clinicians to identify patients suitable for surgery-only treatment from the outset. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces treatment-related toxicity and costs.

In anticipation of clinical adoption, the University of Turku has filed for patent protection on these findings. Furthermore, a start-up company, Thestra Oy, is being established to commercialize this diagnostic test under the EPLINEx brand, aiming to make it accessible for routine clinical use soon.

This innovation marks a significant step toward personalized and less invasive treatment approaches for head and neck cancer, fostering hope for better quality of life for patients and more precise medical interventions.