Researchers at the University of Sheffield are pioneering a new method to detect head and neck cancer using a simple saliva sample, a development that could transform early diagnosis and improve survival rates for thousands of patients each year.
Head and neck cancer cells release tiny bubble-like particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These vesicles carry molecular messages that help the tumour grow by influencing surrounding healthy cells. Crucially, EVs are also released into bodily fluids such as saliva, meaning they could serve as powerful, non-invasive biomarkers for cancer detection.
The Sheffield research team has been investigating how to isolate and analyse these EVs from patient saliva to create a potential “liquid biopsy”, a diagnostic test that detects cancer without the need for invasive procedures. Using size exclusion chromatography, the team enriches EVs from saliva, separating them from unwanted contaminants much like a highly precise molecular sieve. The molecular contents of the EVs are then profiled using next-generation sequencing technologies.
The group has recently secured funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to acquire a state-of-the-art NanoAnalyzer instrument. This advanced technology will allow the team to study EVs at the single-particle level, significantly enhancing their ability to identify cancer-specific features.
Early findings are promising. The researchers have optimised a method that isolates high-quality EVs from just two millilitres of saliva, an important breakthrough that allows the use of low-volume but valuable clinical samples. Their work confirms that saliva is a rich source of EV biomarkers with strong potential for detecting head and neck cancer at earlier and more treatable stages.
With over 12,000 new head and neck cancer cases diagnosed annually in the UK and more than 4,000 related deaths each year, the need for improved early diagnostic tools is urgent. While late-stage diagnosis results in five-year survival rates below 50%, detecting HNC early can raise survival to around 80%. The Sheffield team hopes their research will lead to a simple test that can be used in primary care settings, as a home-testing kit, or for targeted screening of high-risk groups.
This work builds on initial research conducted by former PhD student Karima Alkasah, supervised by the project lead, Stuart Hunt, Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator, School of Clinical Dentistry. Future studies will focus on defining specific salivary EV biomarker signatures to bring the team closer to a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic test.
Stuart said: “Early diagnosis is absolutely critical for improving outcomes in head and neck cancer, yet too many patients are still diagnosed at a late stage. Extracellular vesicles give us a remarkable window into the molecular world of cancer, and by analysing these tiny particles in saliva, we’re uncovering new ways to detect the disease much earlier. A simple, non-invasive saliva sample could ultimately provide clinicians with a powerful tool to identify cancer sooner and significantly improve patient survival.”
The team hopes their efforts will lead to earlier detection, better treatment options, and improved outcomes for patients across the UK and beyond.