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De-Intensified Disease Response Guided Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Patients with HPV-Positive Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck
Trial Status: active
This phase II trial tests how well de-intensification (decrease in dosage), disease response guided radiotherapy works in treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. Radiation is part of an effective treatment of HPV-positive oropharyngeal (head and neck) squamous cell cancer. External beam radiation therapy uses high energy protons to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. The current standard of care involves radiation to both the affected tumor area and the entire area of neck lymph nodes. When treated with radiation, the chance of the cancer coming back (recurrence) is low. However, the amount (or dose) of radiation to the neck that is usually given can cause many unpleasant side effects such as pain, dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, and loss of taste. Lower doses of radiation may reduce the intensity of some of the unpleasant side effects previously described. Similarly, focusing standard doses of radiation to specific targets rather than the entire tissue area may also reduce the intensity of side effects with little impact to the effectiveness of the treatment in patients with HPV-positive squamous cell cancer of the head and neck.
Inclusion Criteria
Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
Male or female, ≥ 18 years of age
Pathologically proven diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx of any American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition stage
Eligible for and planning to receive definitive treatment or adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy
Participants who are receiving concurrent systemic anticancer therapy (e.g. chemotherapy or immunotherapy) for oropharyngeal cancer are eligible.
* For participants with T1-2 and N0 disease, chemotherapy is not required for eligibility. Participants may or may not receive chemotherapy per physician discretion.
* For participants with T3-4 and/or N+ disease, chemotherapy is required for eligibility
* Participants who are medically ineligible for concurrent chemotherapy but have node-positive disease can enroll if they have T1-2, N1 disease. Participants with T3 and/or N2 disease can enroll at overall study principal investigator (PI) discretion
Participants must have a PET/CT or CT with contrast of the region of interest within 90 days of registration. Subjects with N+ disease who only have a CT with contrast must undergo a chest CT with contrast
Participants may receive investigational agents with prior approval from the principal investigator
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0-2
p16 positive HPV as determined by NavDx and immunohistochemistry
For females of reproductive potential: agreement to use adequate contraception during radiation treatment and for 6 months (or more if applicable based on other medications) after the end of radiation treatment
Exclusion Criteria
Evidence of distant metastatic disease
Evidence of bilateral tonsil cancer
Prior history of radiotherapy to the head and/or neck
Had surgery for oropharyngeal cancer within 8 months of enrollment unless it was an incomplete oncologic surgery. Participant is eligible if the gross tumor was not completely removed
Diagnosis of T3-4 and/or N+ disease with no plans to receive concurrent chemotherapy
Diagnosis of a current or prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancer) unless the participant has been disease free for at least 3 years
Participant is a prisoner
Known contraindications to head and neck radiation therapy such as ataxia telangiectasia or scleroderma
Pregnancy or lactation
Active or severe co-morbidities as defined by the following:
* Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization up to 180 days before registration
* Transmural myocardial infarction up to 180 days before registration
* Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration
* Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy at the time of registration
* Hepatic insufficiency as determined by the treating clinician resulting in clinical jaundice and/or coagulation effects or severe liver dysfunction
* Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) based upon current Center for Disease Control (CDC) definition. The need to exclude patients with AIDS from this protocol is necessary because the treatments involved in this protocol may be slightly immunosuppressive. Protocol-specific requirements may also exclude immuno-compromised patients
Tobacco smoking history of 10 pack years or greater, or ≥ 20 pack years if smoking cessation occurred at least 1 year prior to enrollment
* Note: participants who currently or have a history of smokeless tobacco products are eligible
Current use of antineoplastic drugs for other malignancies
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT05962242.
I. To assess the disease control of participants who receive dose and volume-de-escalated radiotherapy to the neck, guided by treatment response through circulating tumor-modified HPV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To assess safety for treatment with reduced dose and volume-de-escalated radiotherapy to the neck.
II. To estimate quality of life of participants who receive reduced dose and volume-de-escalated radiotherapy to the neck.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. To examine the relationship between biochemical failure and clinical disease progression outcomes.
II. To estimate long-term survival for participants treated with dose and volume-de-escalated radiotherapy to the neck.
III. To estimate the relationship between baseline lymphocyte counts and disease progression outcomes.
OUTLINE: Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 groups.
ARM I (NO CONCURRENT CHEMOTHERAPY): Patients undergo external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) over 12 fractions and then for an additional 18 fractions. Patients that do not respond to initial treatment receive an additional EBRT boost of 5 fractions. Patients undergo blood sample collection throughout the study. Patients also undergo computed tomography (CT) on study, positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or CT with contrast during screening and follow-up, as well as carotid ultrasound during follow up.
ARM II (CONCURRENT CHEMOTHERAPY): Patients undergo EBRT over 12 fractions and then for an additional 15 fractions. Patients that do not respond to initial treatment receive an additional EBRT boost of 8 fractions. Patients undergo blood sample collection throughout the study. Patients also undergo CT on study, PET/CT or CT with contrast during screening and follow-up, as well as carotid ultrasound during follow up.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, then yearly for up to 5 years.
Trial PhasePhase II
Trial Typetreatment
Lead OrganizationUniversity of Virginia Cancer Center