Feasibility of clinical evaluation of individuals at increased risk of HPV-OPC

Methods: Individuals at baseline with rinse or serum biomarkers were “at-risk” and eligible for clinical evaluation. Demographic, sexual and substance use characteristics were compared between “at-risk” and vs those not-at-risk using chi-square and equality of medians test; stratified by eligibility cohort (those enrolled based on oral HPV persistence in previous study, vs those enrolled based on self-reported sexual and medical history). Abnormalities detected among those clinically evaluated (Ultrasound, MRI, head and neck exam) were reported.

Why: To evaluate whether rinse and serum biomarkers can be used to identify at risk individuals at higher risk of HPV-OPC for clinical evaluation, and what the participation and results of the evaluation look like. Whether participant characteristics differ between risk groups.

Findings: Being male at birth, of older age, having higher lifetime sex partners was associated with being at risk in both cohorts. of 384 individuals eligible for clinical evaluation, 53% participated in head and neck exam. 32% of head and neck exam completers did either ultrasound or MRI imaging. No malignant findings were identified, there were only limited incidental findings.