De-intensification strategies in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma—a narrative review

Abstract

Human papillomavirus-related (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a relatively new clinical entity that is dramatically on the rise globally. HPV+ OPSCC is thought to be a separate clinical entity compared to HPV− OPSCC with a distinct tumor biology. Patients with HPV associated disease have been shown to have a substantially better prognosis and overall survival than those patients with the HPV negative (HPV−) counterpart. The standard of care for OPSCC is definitive radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT), for lower and higher stage disease, respectively. However, traditional CRT is also associated with severe acute and late toxicities affecting patient quality of life, such as severe mucositis, dry mouth and dysphagia. Considering that HPV+ OPSCC is on the rise in a younger, healthier patient population and the good prognosis of HPV-related disease, there has been a focus on reducing treatment toxicities and optimizing quality of life while maintaining favorable oncologic outcomes. A variety of such de-escalation regimens are currently being explored in recently completed and ongoing clinical trials. Alterations to the standard chemotherapy, radiation and surgical regimens are being explored. This review will provide an overview of the rationale for and available results of the major de-intensification strategies in the treatment of locally advanced HPV+ OPSCC.