1388 - Radiotherapy plus cisplatin (CDDP) or cetuximab (C225) in human papilloma-virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)? A dillema finally resolved. An updated meta-analysis.

Background

Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is a special entity among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) characterised by higher survival rates compared to similar stage HPV-negative OPC. Due to favorable prognosis, a significant interest in ‘’less toxic’’ therapies (de-escalating strategies) in the treatment of HPV-associated OPC had been introduced. One of the approaches included introduction of cetuximab (C225) instead of cisplatin (CDDP) in conjunction with radiotherapy as a definitive treatment option in these patients. The aim of the updated meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of CDDP vs. C225 given concurrently with radiotherapy as definitive treatment of HPV-associated OPC, with inclusion of the latest trials investigating this specific issue. To our knowledge this is currently the largest investigation on this matter.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed for studies published between 2006 and 2018. A total of 1490 citations were obtained and 8 studies met inclusion criteria, resulting in inclusion of 1665 patients in this meta-analysis.

Results

Analysis of pooled studies showed no significant heterogeneity or publication bias. Two-year overall survival (OS) calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) for CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy vs. C225-based bioradiotherapy, was 0.45 (P < 0.0001). Two-year locoregional recurrence (LRR) calculated pooled OR for CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy vs. C225-based bioradiotherapy was 0.35 (P < 0.0001). Patients receiving CDDP concurrently with radiotherapy had 2.2- and 2.9-fold decreased risk for death from any cause and LRR, respectively.

Conclusions

According to the evidence demonstrated by our meta-analysis, CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy should remain the standard of definitive treatment of HPV-associated OPC. Further investigations are necessary in order to define optimal treatment in HPV-negative HNSCCs.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Petar Suton.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.