MSK radiation oncologist Nancy Lee has pioneered an approach for treating selected head and neck cancers with a much lower radiation dose than the standard protocol.
The number of head and neck cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has surged in recent years, especially in men. This type of cancer usually responds well to a combination of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The cure rate for the disease is close to 90%. But the side effects of treatment can cause serious discomfort and long-term complications. This is particularly true of radiation.
The outlook for people with HPV-positive head and neck cancer could soon improve markedly. As reported today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, many of these cancers might be successfully treated with a sharply reduced radiation dose that could eliminate nearly all radiation-associated side effects.
“This is an absolute game changer for treating HPV-positive cancer,” says MSK radiation oncologist Nancy Lee, who pioneered the approach. “The difference in toxicity is dramatic compared with standard radiation therapy.”
At the meeting, MSK radiation oncologist Nadeem Riaz presented the results of a pilot study. It involved 19 MSK patients with HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer and showed that a low-dose radiation approach could control the cancer while avoiding side effects. Now MSK is leading a larger study that launches this week and will involve patients at multiple sites.
A Dramatic Dose Reduction
Radiation dosage is measured in units called grays (Gy). The standard approach for treating head and neck cancer has been 70 Gy given over seven weeks, along with three cycles of chemotherapy. This level of radiation often causes mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, loss of taste, and nausea.
Dr. Lee’s protocol reduces the dosage to 30 Gy, which is given over three weeks along with only two cycles of chemotherapy.
“It’s hard to describe the huge difference this makes,” Dr. Riaz says. “With the seven-week treatment, patients typically lose 20 to 30 pounds and may have to go on disability for several months. Using the smaller dose over just three weeks, they have almost no radiation side effects. It’s like you’re not even using the same treatment.”
Back to topCareful Selection of HPV-Positive Tumors
Key to the success of the new technique is the careful selection of people who would benefit. Most HPV-positive tumors respond well to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, but a fraction of them are more resistant and aggressive. Dr. Lee developed a method for detecting which tumors would respond to the lower dose.
The approach involves using PET imaging to see if there’s the presence of hypoxia (low oxygen concentration) in the head and neck tumors. Tumor hypoxia reduces the effectiveness of radiation and chemotherapy. In Dr. Lee’s method, patients are initially given radiation and chemotherapy. PET imaging is then used to determine whether the tumors are hypoxic and resistant.
For people whose tumors are not hypoxic, the radiation dosage is lowered, or de-escalated, to 30 Gy, and the chemotherapy is reduced from three cycles to two. People whose tumors are revealed to be hypoxic receive the standard 70 Gy dose and three cycles of chemotherapy.
In the pilot study, 15 of the 19 people did not have hypoxic tumors and were able to receive the de-escalated therapy. This raises hopes that someday the majority of people with HPV-positive head and neck cancer could safely avoid high radiation doses — and the toxicity accompanying them.
Back to topEffective Control of Throat Cancer
Dr. Riaz explains that reducing the radiation dose to 30 Gy for HPV-positive head and neck cancer seemed feasible because HPV-positive anal cancer has been treated effectively with that dosage. The 30 Gy threshold seems to be critical. Toxicity increases exponentially when the dosage goes higher than that.
But knowing some HPV-positive head and neck cancer is resistant complicated the issue. Nobody wanted to risk undertreating the cancer and having it return or spread.
“Dr. Lee has really pioneered using hypoxia imaging to pick out tumors that are more sensitive for this de-escalatory regimen,” Dr. Riaz says. “This has not been done anywhere else in the world for these tumors.”
The new phase II trial will enroll 76 people at MSK, but it is certain to expand to include many more at other institutions.
Dr. Lee expects that the multicenter trial will provide definitive answers about the effectiveness of the technique in two to three years. Although the treatment lasts only a few weeks, the researchers plan to do meticulous follow-ups to evaluate the long-term effects.
“We hope to use the results to gain FDA approval of hypoxia PET imaging for specific use in the de-escalation of HPV-positive cancer so we can bring this technique to the world,” she says.
Back to topComments
Betsy Williams Hueber
Jan 31, 2018 • 8:58 AM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jan 31, 2018 • 2:52 PM
In reply to I am 61 and healthy and have… by Betsy Williams Hueber
Mark Lovdahl
Oct 8, 2018 • 3:34 PM
This is a very interesting article. I have recently been diagnosed with HPV positive neck cancer and the side effects from radiation really scare me. I am interested to know what institutions are partnering with this study and if it is still open. I am currently established with the University of Michigan with the pending start of therapy on the 22 of October, 2018.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 9, 2018 • 9:06 AM
In reply to This is a very interesting… by Mark Lovdahl
Dear Mark, we’re very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. According to Dr. Lee, the protocol discussed in this story is currently available only at MSK, but we are looking to open it at other hospitals. If you are interested in coming here for a consultation, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment, and best wishes to you.
Nicola Fera
Oct 17, 2018 • 6:22 PM
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Oct 22, 2018 • 9:24 AM
In reply to Dr. Lee and Dr. Riaz, What… by Nicola Fera
Nicola, thank you for your question. We consulted with Dr. Riaz, who responds:
We confirm HPV status using two different tests.
(1) P16 immunohistochemistry testing which tests for a downstream effect of viral infection.
(2) RNA in-situ hybridization which looks for viral gene transcripts that are responsible for dysregulating cellular growth.
Alex Green
Nov 18, 2018 • 6:54 PM
Is this reduced treatment protocol actively being offered to HPV positive tonsil with T4, N2, M0? Is the chemotherapy also reduced, or just the radiation? Is the survival rate the same as the standard treatment at 70g and Cisplatin? What is the treatment response if there are local failures from the reduced therapy protocol? Is this reduced treatment available now?
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Nov 19, 2018 • 11:18 AM
In reply to Is this reduced treatment… by Alex Green
Ales, thank you for reaching out. We consulted with Dr. Nadeem Riaz, who responds: “Unfortunately patients with T4 disease are ineligible for the clinical trial. The chemotherapy is also reduced from a standard dose of 300 mg to 200 mg.The purpose of the study is to determine if the survival rate is similar to standard therapy, which we believe it will be, but the study will help demonstrate this. If a patient develops local failure, they will undergo a salvage neck dissection and then may receive additional radiotherapy.
I’m happy to talk with the patient more about the study if they would like. They can contact my office at 646-888-3495.”
Roxanne Kaimi
Jan 2, 2019 • 1:27 PM
On Nov.21. 2018 I had a modified radical neck dissection at UCLA, and a radical tonsillectomy. There was a 1.8 cm tumor in the right tonsil consistent with an HPV associated orophayngeal squamous cell carcinoma. It was also found in two of 20 lymph nodes. Recovery has been a nightmare. I am very frightened of the radiation treatment offered at UCLA. I would like to be considered for treatment at Sloan’s. Kettering.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jan 2, 2019 • 2:12 PM
In reply to On Nov.21. 2018 I had a… by Roxanne Kaimi
Dear Roxanne, we’re sorry to hear about your diagnosis. If you would like to speak with someone about coming to MSK for a consultation, you can call 800-525-2225. You can go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information on making an appointment. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you.
Muskan
Jan 16, 2019 • 1:53 AM
PAT KELLY
Feb 1, 2019 • 9:32 PM
I WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH HEAD AND NECK OROPHARNYX CANCER AND A RECENT PET SCAN SHOWED THAT IT IS ALSO IN MY NECK LYMPH NODES. I AM PLANNING TREATMENT AT JEFFERSON HOSPITAL IN PHILLY USING THE 7 WEEK 70 GY APPROACH AND I AM VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR TRIAL, DO YOU HAVE ANY LOCATIONS IN OR NEAR PHILLY PA THAT ARE USING THIS STUDY? IF NOT, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR JEFFERSON HOSPITAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS STUDY? THANK YOU.
Dear Pat, we’re sorry to hear about your diagnosis. The closest MSK location to Philadelphia is in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, If you are interested in making an appointment there, you can call 800-525-2225 or go to https://www.mskcc.org/experience/become-patient/appointment for more information. Otherwise, we recommend you ask your current doctors about what clinical trials may be available where you are being treated. You can also go to clinicaltrials.gov to look for trials closer to where you live. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you.
Emily
Feb 7, 2019 • 8:26 AM
As you mentioned above, you perform p16 immunohistochemistry and ISH to confirm HPV status of a tumour. Are these tests carried out at diagnosis/staging? Is it possible that p16 immunohistochemistry can be used alone as a surrogate marker for HPV status? I am looking into a study about this and would be interested to know your thoughts.
Dear Emily, we sent your questions to Chrisann Kyi, an expert in HPV-related cancers. This is her response:
Annie
Mar 18, 2019 • 10:18 AM
Hello, my father was diagnosed with HPV-positive tonsil cancer a few weeks ago, it has spread to both the left and right lymph nodes (two on one side and one on the other). the initial recommendation for treatment does not include surgery but 35 sessions of radiation at 70 GY dose and cisplatin weekly for the duration of the radiation. His cancer is deemed to be stage IVA, would he qualify for this radiation de-escalation clinical trial?
Dear Annie, we’re sorry to hear about your father’s diagnosis. If he would like to learn about participating in a trial or receiving other treatment at MSK, he can make an appointment online or call 800-525-2225. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you and your family.
Renee
Mar 20, 2019 • 10:25 AM
Dear Renee, we are not able to answer individual medical questions on our blog. If you’re interested in arranging a consultation with a doctor at MSK, you can make an appointment online or call 800-525-2225. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you.
Alex Green
May 1, 2019 • 8:38 PM
My wife 47 years old is now likely being diagnosed with Hpv throat cancer. I truly do not want her to go through the full treatment regimen. We are out of state but willing to travel if she is a candidate for the de-escilation. Can the hypoxia testing be done here locally to determine if she could receive the lower dose? Also, is there any data showing that such a large dosage reduction can be successful long term? Avoiding side effects would be great but ultimately cure is the most important to her. Will Pencil Beam Proton be used or Imrt? What are the requirements from a tumor size and node involvement? What is the protocol for treatment if it recurred locally, near by or distant? If it’s just more radiation then is there any concern over trying this first since you can go back in and remove anything that might come back? Thank you in advance.
Memorial Sloan Kettering
May 2, 2019 • 8:29 AM
In reply to My wife 47 years old is now… by Alex Green
Dear Alex, we’re sorry to hear that your wife is going through this. If she would like to arrange a consultation with an expert at MSK to discuss her treatment options, you can make an appointment online or call 800-525-2225. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to both of you.
DANIEL SALAS
Jun 19, 2019 • 7:13 PM
Hello colleagues, I am a General Surgeon from Venezuela.
Currently, my nephew who is 48yo and diagnosed with SCCOC (Uvula) T1N2bM0 in Jan 2018, ( an incisional Bx of the cervical lymph node was performed in Panama) had a recurrence (re-recurrence I would say).
He received Chemo Rad at standards doses with CISPLATIN and Rad until April 2018. In October 2018 he had a Neck Dissection (don't have info about level) because of a Positive BX for SCC on the scar of the biopsied lymph node. 5 Lymph nodes were negative for SCC but Ki67 and cytokeratin were +. After Oct 2018 he developed Left Vocal Cord Paralysis, left facial paralysis and has dysphagia to solids (has been drinking liquids for the last 6 months).
He went to Miami (Jackson mémorial last week) and apparently, there is not much to be done. A direct extension is reaching the Clivus and Corpus Petros. He has been offered ChemoRad as a palliative treatment.
I would like to hear from your thoughts, please.
Thank you in advance,
Respectfully
Daniel Salas, MD
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Jun 20, 2019 • 8:27 AM
In reply to Hello colleagues, I am a… by DANIEL SALAS
Dear Daniel, we’re sorry to hear about your nephew. We are not able to offer medical advice on our blog, but if you’d like to arrange for one of our experts to conduct a records review you can contact our International Center at [email protected]. Thank you for your comment and best wishes to you and your family.
I am 61 and healthy and have just been diagnosed with HPV cancer. Two nodes in my neck are involved and I am scheduled for surgery on the base of my tongue Feb. 16. I am very interested in reducing the amount of radiation, if the curative effect is the same. My treatment center is Vanderbilt Medical Center. I meet with an radiologist and oncologist Feb. 1.