Predictive value of human papillomavirus in oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 trials

Abstract

Background: Human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is emerging as a different subtype of head and neck cancer. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the predictive role of HPV in patients with OSCC treated with radiotherapy-based modality therapy.

Methods: The authors performed a PubMed search to identify published trials that evaluated the outcome of HPV+ OSCC treated with radiotherapy. Hazard ratios (HRs) were extracted and pooled by using random or fixed effects models. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS).

Results: Thirty trials were available for HPV analysis. HPV+ status is associated with better OS (HR = 0.33; p < .00001), DSS (HR = 0.24; p < .00001), and DFS (HR = 0.31; p < .00001).

Conclusion: HPV+ OSCC has a better survival compared to HPV-negative disease when treated with radiotherapy-based modality therapy.

Keywords: human papillomavirus; oropharyngeal carcinoma; predictive factor; radiotherapy; survival.