title: Future treatment directions for HPV-associated head and neck cancer based on radiobiological rationale and current clinical evidence.
abstract: A relatively new entity of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma located in the oropharynx and associated to the human papillomavirus (HPV) is on the rise. This cancer represents a distinct entity from the non-HPV tumours, holds different biological characteristics and responds differently to treatment. An outcome analysis of locoregionally-advanced oropharyngeal versus non-oropharyngeal cancers treated with chemo-radiotherapy revealed a statistically significant improvement for oropharyngeal cancers, which are thought to be due to their HPV-association. Consequently, more attention is paid to HPV-related head and neck cancers, given that HPV status serves as prognostic marker in oropharyngeal cancer patients. Yet, HPV positivity is a simplistic approach for risk stratification, thus more robust biomarkers are needed to fulfil this task. Despite differences in clinical response, HPV-related oral cancers undergo similar therapy to their non-HPV counterparts. This review discusses future treatment directions for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers based on radiobiological rationale and current clinical evidence.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Oradea, Oradea 410087, Romania; School of Physical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. Electronic address: loredana@marcunet.com.
authors.forename: Loredana G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Marcu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000502:physiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors
keywords: Chemotherapy; Cisplatin; Head and neck cancer; Human papillomavirus; Oropharyngeal cancer; Radiotherapy