Deintensification of postoperative radiotherapy in head and neck cancer independent of human papillomavirus status: Results of a prospective multicenter phase II trial.

Authors

null

Marlen Haderlein

Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

Marlen Haderlein , Jens von der Grün , Claus Roedel , Matthias Hautmann , Christopher Bohr , Thomas Hehr , Carmen Stromberger , Volker Budach , Markus Michael Schymalla , Rita Engenhart-Cabillic , Lukas Kocik , Ursula Nestle , Gunther Klautke , Christine Gall , Markus Hecht , Oliver Ott , Marco Kesting , Heinrich Iro , Sarina Mueller , Rainer Fietkau

Organizations

Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany, Department for Radiation Oncology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, Marienhospital Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Core Center Heidelberg and DKTK Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Marburg, Germany, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Ordensklinikum Linz, Barmherzige Schwestern, Linz, Austria, Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Kliniken Maria Hilf, Moenchengladbach, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany, Department of Radiation Oncology, Universitatsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany, Department of Radiation Therapy, Erlangen, Germany, Department for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany, Department of Otholaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Universitatsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

Research Funding

No funding received

Background: Long-term toxicity is highly relevant for cancer survivors. Therefore, in a clearly defined patient population with HNSCC individualized risk-adapted De-intensification of radiotherapy(RT) should be investigated to reduce long-term toxicity without compromising locoregional control rates (LRRR). Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC after surgery with the following tumor stages (TNM 7th Edition) were eligible for the study: Oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx: pT1-3, pN0-pN2b. Hypopharynx: pT1-2; pN1, resection margin (R) ≥1mm, cM0.Patients were treated in 3 different arms adapted to tumor stage and quality of surgery performed (table below). Concomitant chemotherapy was applied according to standard. Primary endpoint was the LRRR after 2 years (y). After 2y a LRRR up to 10% was expected and an additionally LRRR in non-irradiated or dose-reduced areas of 6% would be accepted. The calculated sample size was 150 patients. Secondary endpoints were overall(OS)/ disease-free(DFS) survival and late toxicity according to CTC-AE v4.0. Results: Between Oct 2014 and March 2021 150 patients were enrolled. 8 (5%) patients were treated in arm A, 88 (59%) in arm B and 54 (35%) in arm C. Median age was 59 years. Tumor localisation was: 35% oral cavity, 63% oropharynx (82% HPV-positive), 1% Hypopharynx, 1% Larynx. 61 patients (41%) were stage IVA, 81 (54%) stage III and 8(5%) stage II. Median follow up was 36 months. LRRR after 2 and 3y was 6% (95%-CI 2-10%), and 7% (CI 3-12%). LRRR in not irradiated or dose-reduced regions was 4 % (CI 1-7%) after 2 and 5 % (CI 1-9%) after 3y. The 2 and 3y DFS rates were 90% (CI 85-95%) and 88% (CI 82-94%) and the OS rates were 94% and 94% (CI 90-98%). Late dysphagia was as follows: 0°: 55%, I°: 29%, II°: 9%, III°: 3%. Other grade ≥3 toxicities: Xerostomia 1%, esophageal stenosis 2%, osteonecrosis of the mandible 1%. Conclusions: The trial met its primary endpoint. De-intensification of RT independent of HPV status in a pre-defined low-risk patient population is safe and results in very low rates of late toxicity. Clinical trial information: NCT02528955.

ARM
Pathologic Tumor stage
Intervention
A
≤ pT2, R ≥ 5 mm, L0, Pn0 and

>3 LN (lymph node) metastasis or ≤ 3 unilateral LN metastasis and a bilateral primary tumor without adequate contralateral neck dissection
Dose reduction in primary tumor region to 56 Gy

Elective RT: both neck sides
B
> pT2 and/or R < 5mm and/or L1 and/or Pn1 and

≤ 3 ipsilateral LN metastasis, contralateral pN0 or contralateral cN0 in unilateral oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer
64 Gy in primary tumor region


Reduction of target volume: elective RT: ipsilateral neck only
C
≤ pT2, R ≥ 5 mm, L0, Pn0 and

≤ 3 ipsilateral LN metastasis, contralateral pN0 or contralateral cN0 in unilateral oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer
Dose reduction in primary tumor region to 56 Gy
AND

Reduction of target volume: elective RT: ipsilateral neck only

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Poster Discussion Session

Session Title

Head and Neck Cancer

Track

Head and Neck Cancer

Sub Track

Local-Regional Disease

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT02528955

Citation

J Clin Oncol 40, 2022 (suppl 16; abstr 6009)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.6009

Abstract #

6009

Poster Bd #

1

Abstract Disclosures