Genetic Tumor Profiling in Head & Neck Cancer: Translating Genomics into Clinical Practice (UTHealth Houston ORL GR, 2025-09-25)

In this UTHealth Houston ORL GR, Evan de Joya, MD presents an in-depth overview of genetic tumor profiling in head and neck cancers, focusing on the integration of genomics into clinical practice.

Dr. de Joya discusses the significance of HPV status, TP53 mutations, and the role of BRAF mutations in anaplastic thyroid cancer, highlighting how these genetic markers influence diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection. He reviews current and emerging precision medicine modalities, including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and radiopharmaceutical therapies. The presentation also covers actionable mutations such as NTRK and HRAS, the use of circulating tumor DNA for early detection, and the impact of immunotherapy agents like pembrolizumab and nivolumab.

Dr. de Joya emphasizes the importance of identifying genetic alterations to guide targeted therapies and improve patient outcomes, while addressing the challenges and future directions of integrating genomics into routine care.