open access

Vol 70, No 6 (2020)
Review paper
Published online: 2020-12-04
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A review of combined treatment strategies for HPV(+), p16(+) oropharyngeal cancer – is de-escalated radiotherapy a convincing and promising paradigm?

Bogusław Maciejewski12, Krzysztof Składowski2
·
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2020;70(6):236-243.
Affiliations
  1. Div. Research Programmes
  2. Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Ward I, M. Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Branch Gliwice, Poland

open access

Vol 70, No 6 (2020)
Review article
Published online: 2020-12-04

Abstract

Biological and clinical interest on HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is rapidly increasing. The genetic and biological characteristics of HPV and p16 expression are presented. The significantly better prognosis (overall survival, locoregional control) of HPV p16(+) OPC patients has been well documented. The leading studies and clinical trials in this field are selected and discussed in details. There is a convincing suggestion that some, low-risk HPV(+) OPC patients might be overtreated. Different approaches with varying degrees of radiotherapy dose de-intensification are critically reviewed and the current de-escalated treatment paradigms are presented and discussed.

Abstract

Biological and clinical interest on HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is rapidly increasing. The genetic and biological characteristics of HPV and p16 expression are presented. The significantly better prognosis (overall survival, locoregional control) of HPV p16(+) OPC patients has been well documented. The leading studies and clinical trials in this field are selected and discussed in details. There is a convincing suggestion that some, low-risk HPV(+) OPC patients might be overtreated. Different approaches with varying degrees of radiotherapy dose de-intensification are critically reviewed and the current de-escalated treatment paradigms are presented and discussed.

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Keywords

HPV-associated OPC; treatment outcomes; de-escalated therapy paradigms

About this article
Title

A review of combined treatment strategies for HPV(+), p16(+) oropharyngeal cancer – is de-escalated radiotherapy a convincing and promising paradigm?

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol 70, No 6 (2020)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

236-243

Published online

2020-12-04

Page views

488

Article views/downloads

500

DOI

10.5603/NJO.2020.0048

Bibliographic record

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2020;70(6):236-243.

Keywords

HPV-associated OPC
treatment outcomes
de-escalated therapy paradigms

Authors

Bogusław Maciejewski
Krzysztof Składowski

References (33)
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