Primary chemotherapy and radiation as a treatment strategy for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer.
The incidence of human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer (HPV/OPSCC) is rapidly increasing, which will represent a major public health burden for decades to come. Although HPV/OPSCC is generally associated with a better prognosis than HPV-negative OPSCC, the survival rate of individuals with higher-risk clinical and pathologic features remains unchanged. Emerging evidence suggests that HPV/OPSCC is pathologically and molecularly distinct from HPV-negative OPSCC. This review focuses on summarizing treatment strategies for HPV/OPSCC by reviewing the peer-reviewed literature and noting ongoing and planned clinical trials in this disease. We also discuss the potential of designing targeted therapy based on the recent genomic findings of HPV/OPSCC.
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Vivian Wai Yan
VW
Lui
Jennifer Rubin
JR
Grandis
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck