Radiotherapy Dose De-escalation in HPV-Associated Cancers of the Oropharynx

Launched by DUKE UNIVERSITY · Dec 8, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new approach to treating HPV-related cancers of the oropharynx, which is the part of the throat just behind the mouth. The researchers want to see if they can safely reduce the amount of radiation therapy some patients receive by using a special imaging technique called 18FDG-PET/CT during treatment. By identifying patients who respond well to the initial treatment, they hope to find out if lower doses of radiation can still be effective, potentially leading to fewer side effects for patients.

To participate in this trial, you must be at least 18 years old and have been diagnosed with a specific type of throat cancer that tests positive for HPV. It's important that you haven't received any prior chemotherapy for this cancer, and you should have a good overall health status. During the trial, participants will receive the standard treatment along with the imaging tests, and the study will track their health outcomes over time. This research is currently recruiting patients, and it could offer a promising option for those diagnosed with this type of cancer.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Histologic documentation of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx with p16-positive immunohistochemical staining and/or positive HPV in situ hybridization (ISH) and/or positive HPV PCR
• • Stage I-III (AJCC 8th edition) with plan for concurrent chemotherapy per standard of care treatment
• • Zubrod/ECOG score of 0-1
• • Weight loss \<10% in the 3 months prior to diagnosis
• • ≥ 18 years of age
• • No prior chemotherapy for their current cancer diagnosis
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior radiotherapy to the head and neck
• • Medical contraindications to radiation therapy
• • Absence of gross disease on imaging prior to beginning radiation therapy
• • Distant metastatic disease
• • Medical contraindication to PET/CT
• • History of active cancer other than non-melanoma skin cancer within the last 5 years