Comparison of systemic therapies used concurrently with radiation for the treatment of human papillomavirus–associated oropharyngeal cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This was a retrospective study of patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer treated with concurrent systemic therapy and radiation. METHODS: Data were extracted through chart review, and statistical analyses included frequency tabulation, chi-square, and Kaplan-Meier tests. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty-nine patients were analyzed; 166 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. One hundred thirty-six patients were treated with cisplatin, 123 with cetuximab, and 59 with carboplatin. The 2-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial overall survival rates were 92%, 88%, and 78%, respectively. There were no significant differences in survival or disease control when analyzed by systemic agent. Platin-treated patients had greater hematologic toxicity, and required more intravenous hydration. The incidence of confluent mucositis was highest among patients treated with cetuximab. CONCLUSION: Platin and cetuximab seem to have similar efficacy when delivered concurrently with radiation in our retrospective population study. Although platin did cause greater hematologic toxicity, radiation-specific side effects seemed relatively comparable. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1554-E1561, 2016.