Ashna Aggarwal

Papers

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About

Dr. Ashna Aggarwal is a rising leader in head and neck oncology, with a focused research agenda on the intersection of virology and surgical oncology. Her most impactful work investigates the clinical utility of circulating tumor tissue-modified viral human papillomavirus DNA (TTMV-HPV DNA) as a predictive biomarker for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC). In her landmark 2024 study, which has already garnered 13 citations, Dr. Aggarwal demonstrated that preoperative levels of this liquid biopsy marker can effectively stratify disease burden, offering a non-invasive tool to guide surgical decision-making and potentially de-escalate treatment for low-risk patients. This contribution is pivotal in an era where precision medicine is reshaping cancer care, providing a tangible method to reduce overtreatment and its associated morbidities. By bridging molecular diagnostics with clinical practice, Dr. Aggarwal is helping to define a new standard for risk assessment in HPV-driven cancers. Her work not only advances the field of otolaryngology but also underscores the transformative potential of integrating viral biomarkers into routine preoperative protocols, marking her as a key voice in the future of personalized oncologic surgery.