Predictors of oropharyngeal cancer survival in Europe

Anantharaman, D. et al. (2018) Predictors of oropharyngeal cancer survival in Europe. Oral Oncology, 81, pp. 89-94. (doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2018.04.016) (PMID:29884419)

Abstract

Objectives: HPV16-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients experience better outcomes compared to HPV16-negative patients. Currently, strategies for treatment de-escalation are based on HPV status, smoking history and disease stage. However, the appropriate cut-point for smoking and the role of other non-clinical factors in OPC survival remains uncertain. Materials and Methods: We examined factors associated with OPC outcome in 321 patients recruited in a large European multi-center study. Seropositivity for HPV16 E6 was used as a marker of HPV16 positive cancer. Hazard ratios (HR) and confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional models adjusted for potential confounders. Results: Overall 5-year survival following OPC diagnosis was 50%. HPV16-positive OPC cases were at significantly lower risk of death (aHR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.32–0.80). A significant effect on OPC survival was apparent for female sex (aHR 0.50: 95% CI: 0.29–0.85) and being underweight at diagnosis (aHR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.38–4.21). A 10 pack year smoking history was not associated with overall survival. Higher stage at diagnosis appeared as the only factor significantly associated with OPC recurrence (aHR: 4.88, 95% CI: 2.12–11.21). Conclusion: This study confirms that HPV16 status is an independent prognostic factor for OPC survival while female sex lowers risk of death and being underweight at diagnosis increases the risk of death. Smoking was not an independent predictor of OPC survival.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The ARCAGE study was supported by the grant from European Commission’s 5th Framework Program (P. Brennan, PI, contract QLK1-2001-00182). The work done in this study was supported in part by a grant from the European Commission’s 7th Framework Program (M. Tommasino, PI, contract FP7-HEALTH-2011–282562) and partly by the Health General Directorate of the French Social Affairs and Health Ministry.
• Keywords: Body mass index, gender, HPV16, head and neck cancer, oropharynx cancer, survival, tobacco.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Conway, Professor David
• Authors: Anantharaman, D., Billot, A., Waterboer, T., Gheit, T., Abedi-Ardekani, B., Lagiou, P., Lagiou, A., Ahrens, W., Holcátová, I., Merletti, F., Kjaerheim, K., Polesel, J., Simonato, L., Alemany, L., Mena Cervigon, M., Macfarlane, T.V., Znaor, A., Thomson, P.J., Robinson, M., Canova, C., Conway, D.I., Wright, S., Healy, C.M., Toner, M.E., Pawlita, M., Tommasino, M., and Brennan, P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Oral Oncology
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1368-8375
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0593
• Published Online: 02 May 2018