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Impact of HPV status in T1–2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with bulky N3 nodes: a multicenter GETTEC study

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of our study was to investigate the impact of HPV status in oncologic outcomes in patients with T1–2 oropharyngeal SCC associated with bulky N3 nodes, and to determine progression prognosis factors aiming to define the best therapeutic strategies for these patients.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective study included patients with T1–2 oropharyngeal SCC with N3 nodes treated between 2010 and 2015 in 8 French comprehensive cancer centers. HPV status was determined with P16 hyperexpression in immunohistochemistry. HPV-positive patients were separated into 2 groups according to the associated smoking history (HPV + T +) or not (HPV + T−). We compared the oncological outcomes of patients according to HPV-status and smoking history.

Results

Of 67 patients with T1–2 N3 oropharyngeal SCC, 36 patients (53.7%) were HPV negative and 31 patients (46.3%) HPV positive. 2-year PFS was significantly better in HPV + T− group (p = 0.036). The risk of death or progression was significantly reduced in HPV + T− comparatively to HPV- (HR 0.25 95%CI [0.07; 0.89]). 2-year OS was significantly better in HPV + T− group than in the other two groups (p = 0.017).

Conclusion

In patients with T1–2 oropharyngeal SCC associated with bulky N3 nodes, HPV positive patients without smoking history had better OS and PFS than HPV positive patients with smoking history and HPV negative patients. Thus, HPV status is a significant prognostic factor for survival but this benefit is altered when smoking history is associated. N3 HPV positive patients with smoking history have to be classified as high-risk.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Juliette Thariat and Xavier Dufour have equally contributed to the study as co-last authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Head and Neck Surgery, Service ORL, chirurgie cervico-maxillo-faciale et audiophonologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Poitiers, 2 rue de la Milétrie, 86021, Poitiers Cedex, France

    Charles Hurel, Florent Carsuzaa & Xavier Dufour

  2. Cellule Data Biostatistique, Institut de Cancérologie de Lorraine, Université de Lorraine, 54519, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France

    Julia Salleron

  3. Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Gustave Roussy, University Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France

    Philippe Gorphe

  4. Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Grenoble, La Tronche, France

    Christian Righini

  5. Radiation Oncology, Centre Henri Becquerel, Rouen, France

    Maximilien Rogé

  6. Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Tours, Tours, France

    Erwan de Mones

  7. Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Bordeaux, Bordeaux cedex, France

    Sylvain Morinière

  8. Institut Universitaire du Cancer de Toulouse Oncopole-CHU de Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    Sébastien Vergez

  9. Radiotherapy, Centre François Baclesse/ARCHADE, Caen, France

    Juliette Thariat

Authors
  1. Charles Hurel
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  2. Florent Carsuzaa
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Correspondence to Florent Carsuzaa.

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Hurel, C., Carsuzaa, F., Salleron, J. et al. Impact of HPV status in T1–2 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with bulky N3 nodes: a multicenter GETTEC study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 280, 847–853 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07637-8

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