Biomarkers for head and neck cancer and methods of their use

A method for detecting head and neck cancer in a human subject, comprising

• (a) preparing genomic DNA extract comprising a genomic locus encoding a microRNA (mgmiR) from a tissue or body fluid of said human subject, said genomic DNA extract comprising a first DNA fragment encompassing at least one genomic locus encoding at least one microRNA 124-2 said tissue or body fluid being selected from the group consisting of a head tissue, a neck tissue, mouth swab, nose swab, saliva, and combination thereof,
• (b) generating a second DNA fragment by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using as a template said first DNA fragment and using as primers oligonucleotide pair having the sequence of SEQ ID Nos. 3 and 4 for microRNA 124-2,
• (c) measuring the level of said second DNA fragment generated in step (b), and
• (d) comparing the level of said second DNA fragment with a base level, said base level being the level of a corresponding DNA fragment generated by the same manner from the same tissue or body fluid of an individual known to be free from said cancer, wherein a significantly higher level of said second DNA fragment as compared to said base level is indicative of head and neck cancer in said human subject.