The Quarterback trials: A phase 2 series of sequential studies of induction chemotherapy followed by reduced dose chemoradiation for human papillomavirus positive oropharynx cancer.

Authors

null

Marshall R. Posner

Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY

Marshall R. Posner , John Botzler , Mai Takahashi , Scott Roof , Eric Michael Genden , Brett Miles , Richard Lorne Bakst , Erin Moshier , Vishal Gupta , Sonam Sharma , Krzystof Misiukiewicz

Organizations

Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, Summit Health, Clifton, NJ

Research Funding

Other
Philanthropy

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) oropharynx cancer (HPVOPC) is highly curative. Current standard of care treatment recommendations result in over treatment with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) across all stages of the disease and lead to significant long-term morbidity. The Quarterback (QB) trials (NCT01706939, QB1; NCT02945631, QB2a/2b) applied induction chemotherapy (IC) with modified Taxotere, cis-platinum and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) and reduced dose chemoradiotherapy (rdCRT) in very advanced HPVOPC. The primary endpoints were local regional control (LRC) and progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 years. Methods: Patients with locally advanced HPVOPC and High Risk (HR) features (radiographic ECE, T4 primary, ≥N2c disease or non-HPV16 HR genotype) or who were candidates for organ preservation were entered on sequential trials of 3 cycles of TPF IC followed by rdCRT to 5600 cGy with weekly carboplatin. The only variable in IC treatment were 3 sequential reductions of 5-fluorouracil from 800 to 500 mg/M2/day across the trials (QB1, QB2a/2b). Major inclusion criteria were: molecularly documented high risk HPV and ≤20 pack year smoking history. Patients were eligible for rdCRT if they had a significant clinical response to IC. The hypothesis for non-inferiority was that LRC and PFS at 3 years would be at least 85% and 80%, respectively, based on results from RTOG 1029. Analysis was limited to those patients who received or were randomized (QB1) to rdCRT. Results: Of 45 subjects treated with rdCRT, 35 (78%) had HR features. Overall survival (OAS) is 39 (87%), LRC 39 (87%), PFS 35 (78%) with a median follow up of 57m (range: 12-120). Kaplan Meyer 3 year LRC is 88% (95% CI: 79-99), PFS 86% (95 CI 76-97) and OS 93% (95% CI 86-100). 2 subjects (4%) developed an in-field non-HPV, p53 positive squamous cancer and 1 (2%) died. 1 subject (2%) died of non-HPV related disease (SLE); 2 (4%) developed distant metastases; 4 (9%) subjects are alive after recurrence. Disease specific survival is 40/43 (93%). 19 patients signed consent and did not receive rdCRT: 8 were randomized to standard dose (QB1), 2 withdrew consent, 5 had an inadequate response to IC and 4 were screen failures. All 15 treated with IC are alive and disease free. There are no treatment related deaths. Conclusions: TPF IC in HPVOPC with HR features, followed by rdCRT met its predetermined statistical goals for LRC, PFS and OAS. Treatment was tolerable and toxicity was manageable. Compared to other Phase 2 and 3 de-escalation trials this approach is reasonable, effective and feasible. QB1 demonstrated improved quality of life in rdCRT with 5600 cGy compared to standard chemoradiotherapy. Randomized trials to establish de-escalation as a standard of care are warranted. Further de-escalation of treatment to further reduce acute and long-term radiation toxicity in HR populations appears feasible. Clinical trial information: NCT01706939; NCT02945631.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2023 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

NCT01706939; NCT02945631

Citation

J Clin Oncol 41, 2023 (suppl 16; abstr 6020)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.6020

Abstract #

6020

Poster Bd #

12

Abstract Disclosures