title: Prognostic biomarkers of survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity improves prognosis in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Combining HPV status with other biomarkers may improve its prognostic power.
  
  
  METHODS
  The approach was a literature search for longitudinal studies of biomarkers in OPSCC, with systematic review and meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 3130 articles were identified; 32 satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. On meta-analysis, there was a significant overall survival (OS) benefit for patients with HPV positive and p16 positive tumors. There was some evidence of improved OS of OPSCC patients with raised bcl2; amplification of 11q3 and loss of 16q genes; and low c-met, ki67, IMD, PLK, FHIT, nuclear surviving, or nuclear cyclin D1. However, none of these was suitable for meta-analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Survival from OPSCC is associated with several biomarkers, which constitute potential targets for research into improving the prognostic power of HPV in OPSCC. Larger trials are needed, with standardization of cut-points and adherence to consensus reporting guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), University Hospital, Coventry, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Rainsbury
authors.forename: Waseem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Hazel K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Vinidh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paleri
authors.forename: Hisham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mehanna
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor