Saskia Neagele

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA.

2 publications 2026 – 2026
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckHead and Neck NeoplasmsPrognosisCirculating Tumor DNANeoplasm, Residual

What does Saskia Neagele research?

Dr. Neagele studies head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly in cases where the cancer is not linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). She utilizes a test that looks for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)—small pieces of cancer DNA found in the bloodstream—to predict which patients are at a higher risk of having their cancer return after treatment. This approach is crucial because it offers a simpler and non-invasive way to monitor patients, enabling doctors to respond more effectively to the potential recurrence of the disease.

Key findings

  • In a study of 40 patients, those with detectable ctDNA in their blood after treatment were 5-7 times more likely to experience cancer recurrence or death compared to those without detectable ctDNA.
  • The ctDNA test could identify returning cancer an average of 5 months earlier than standard imaging scans, enhancing the chances of timely interventions.
  • The research indicates that ctDNA testing could allow for earlier and more tailored monitoring or treatment adjustments for high-risk patients.

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Neagele study head and neck cancer?
Yes, she specifically studies head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that is not caused by HPV.
What treatments has Dr. Neagele researched?
She focuses on the prognostic value of blood tests that detect circulating tumor DNA to improve monitoring and treatment strategies for head and neck cancer patients.
Is Dr. Neagele's work relevant to patients with cancer?
Yes, her research is crucial for understanding which patients are at higher risk of cancer recurrence, potentially improving treatment outcomes.

Publications in plain English

Prognostic Value of Tumor-Informed Circulating Tumor DNA in HPV-Independent Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

2026

JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery

Ruiz-Torres DA, Roberts TJ, Du P, Mendel J, Neagele S +13 more

Plain English
Researchers examined a blood test that detects tumor DNA in patients with a specific type of head and neck cancer that doesn't involve HPV. They found that when the test showed positive results after treatment, it indicated a higher chance of cancer recurrence and lower survival rates. This finding is important because it suggests that this blood test could help doctors identify patients at greater risk after treatment, potentially leading to more tailored monitoring and care.

PubMed

Prognostic value of tumor-informed ctDNA in HPV-independent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

2026

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences

Ruiz-Torres DA, Roberts TJ, Du P, Mendel J, Neagele S +13 more

Plain English
Researchers studied a blood test that detects tiny amounts of tumor DNA in patients with a specific type of throat cancer that is not linked to HPV. They found that when this DNA was present, patients were more likely to experience a recurrence of their cancer and had a shorter survival time. This finding is important because it suggests that this blood test could help doctors predict outcomes and make better treatment decisions for patients with this type of cancer.

PubMed

Publication data sourced from PubMed . Plain-English summaries generated by AI. Not medical advice.