E1308: Phase II trial of induction chemotherapy followed by reduced-dose radiation and weekly cetuximab in patients with HPV-associated resectable squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx- ECOG-ACRIN cancer research group

Shanthi Marur, Shuli Li, Anthony J. Cmelak, Maura L. Gillison, Weiqiang J. Zhao, Robert L. Ferris, William H. Westra, Jill Gilbert, Julie E. Bauman, Lynne I. Wagner, David R. Trevarthen, Jahagirdar Balkrishna, Barbara A. Murphy, Nishant Agrawal, A. Dimitrios Colevas, Christine H. Chung, Barbara Burtness

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

364 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is treatment-responsive. Definitive chemoradiation results in high cure rates but causes long-term toxicity and may represent overtreatment of some patients. This phase II trial evaluated whether complete clinical response (cCR) to induction chemotherapy (IC) could select patients with HPV-associated OPSCC for reduced radiation dose as a means of sparing late sequelae. Methods: Patients with HPV16 and/or p16-positive, stage III-IV OPSCC received three cycles of IC with cisplatin, paclitaxel, and cetuximab. Patients with primary-site cCR to IC received intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) 54 Gy with weekly cetuximab; those with less than cCR to IC at the primary site or nodes received 69.3 Gy and cetuximab to those regions. The primary end point was 2-year progression-free survival. Results: Of the 90 patients enrolled, 80 were evaluable. Their median age was 57 years (range, 35 to 73 years), with the majority having stage T1-3N0-N2b OPSCC and a history of ≤ 10 pack-years of cigarette smoking. Three cycles of IC were delivered to 77 of the 80 patients. Fifty-six patients (70%) achieved a primary-site cCR to IC and 51 patients continued to cetuximab with IMRT 54 Gy. After median follow-up of 35.4 months, 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 80% and 94%, respectively, for patients with primary-site cCR treated with 54 Gy of radiation (n = 51); 96% and 96%, respectively, for patients with < T4, < N2c, and ≤ 10 pack-year smoking history who were treated with ≤ 54 Gy of radiation (n = 27). At 12 months, significantly fewer patients treated with a radiation dose ≤ 54 Gy had difficulty swallowing solids (40% v 89%; P = .011) or had impaired nutrition (10% v 44%; P = .025). Conclusion: For IC responders, reduced-dose IMRT with concurrent cetuximab is worthy of further study in favorable-risk patients with HPV-associated OPSCC. Radiation dose reduction resulted in significantly improved swallowing and nutritional status.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)490-497
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 10 2017
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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