Medical Bulletin 13/September/2025

Unlike HPV-related cervical cancer, there is currently no screening test for head and neck cancers, which means most diagnoses occur only after the tumor has grown large enough to cause symptoms and spread.

To address this gap, researchers led by Dr. Daniel L. Faden, head and neck surgical oncologist at Mass Eye and Ear, developed HPV-DeepSeek, a tool that uses whole-genome sequencing to identify trace fragments of HPV DNA shed into the bloodstream by early-stage tumors.

The team tested 56 blood samples from the Mass General Brigham Biobank — 28 from individuals who developed HPV-related head and neck cancer years later and 28 from healthy controls. HPV-DeepSeek detected tumor DNA in 22 of the 28 pre-diagnosis samples, with zero false positives among controls. Using machine learning, the test's accuracy improved further, identifying 27 of 28 future cancer cases, including samples collected up to 10 years before diagnosis.

“Our study shows for the first time that we can accurately detect HPV-associated cancers in asymptomatic individuals many years before they are ever diagnosed with cancer,” said Dr. Faden. “We hope tools like HPV-DeepSeek will allow us to catch these cancers at their very earliest stages, which ultimately can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.”

These findings highlight the promise of HPV-DeepSeek as a future screening tool, potentially enabling earlier, less invasive treatment for thousands of at-risk individuals.

Reference: Das, D., et al. (2025). Circulating tumor human papillomavirus DNA whole genome sequencing enables human papillomavirus-associated oropharynx cancer early detection. JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djaf249

Eating Ultra-Processed Foods? Study Suggests You Might Be Feeding Inflammation

A growing body of evidence suggests that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are doing more than just expanding waistlines—they could also be quietly fueling inflammation in the body. In a new study published in The American Journal of Medicine, researchers found a strong association between high ultra-processed foods consumption and elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a key marker of systemic inflammation and a well-established predictor of cardiovascular disease.

Ultra-processed foods like packaged snacks, soft drinks, processed meats, and ready-to-eat meals are engineered to be hyper-palatable, shelf-stable, and cheap, often at the cost of nutritional quality. To investigate the physiological impact of such diets, researchers analyzed dietary and health data from 9,254 U.S. adults enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Participants were grouped by their ultra-processed foods intake, ranging from under 20% to nearly 80% of total daily calories. After adjusting for other health factors like age, weight, smoking status, and activity levels, the study found that individuals consuming the most ultra-processed foods (60–79% of daily calories) had an 11% higher likelihood of elevated hs-CRP levels than those in the lowest intake group. Even moderate ultra-processed foods consumption (40–59%) led to a 14% increase in risk.

“These findings, based on a large and nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, clearly show that people who consume the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods have significantly higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a key marker of inflammation,” said Dr. Allison H. Ferris, senior author and chair of the FAU Department of Medicine.

The study also highlighted demographic differences: adults aged 50–59 had a 26% higher risk of elevated inflammation compared to those aged 18–29, and obesity increased the risk by 80%. Interestingly, physical inactivity alone did not significantly impact high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels.

As the health burden of ultra-processed foods continues to mount, the study urges clinicians and policymakers to treat food quality as a central pillar of disease prevention and public health.

Reference: Ultra-Processed Foods and Increased High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein, Sajan, Kevin et al., The American Journal of Medicine, Volume 0, Issue 0

India Sees Sharp Rise in Deaths from Lifestyle Diseases: Global Study Finds

In a striking shift in public health trends, India has seen a concerning rise in deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet. While most countries saw a decline in mortality from these chronic conditions between 2010 and 2019, India was among the few where deaths increased, highlighting a silent but growing epidemic.

The study, led by researchers at Imperial College London, tracked mortality data related to non-communicable diseases across 195 countries. It assessed age-specific risks and trends before and after the COVID-19 pandemic era, drawing particular attention to countries that have either succeeded or fallen behind in managing these preventable illnesses.

In India, both men and women experienced increased risk of death from ischemic heart disease and diabetes-related conditions like chronic kidney disease. “The increase was more prominent among women,” the study noted, with the rise starting after age 40 for women and after age 55 for men. By contrast, countries like China, Brazil, and the U.S. saw measurable declines in similar mortality rates.

Interestingly, the research did note some positive shifts in India. Deaths from liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and certain cancers like stomach cancer declined, particularly among men. However, these gains were not enough to offset the overall upward trend in non-communicable diseases mortality.

Experts attribute the rise to widespread lifestyle changes in India over the past two decades—poor diets, sedentary behavior, increased stress, and substance use being major contributors. The Indian Council of Medical Research reports that the share of deaths due to non-communicable diseases jumped from 37.9% in 1990 to 61.8% in 2016, painting a clear picture of shifting disease burdens.

The findings serve as a wake-up call for India to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, especially for preventive care and early diagnosis, if it hopes to reverse this deadly trend.

Reference: Metabolic non-communicable diseases in India: time to act, Habeeb, Shifa et al., The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Volume 11, Issue 12, 897 - 898