Cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy vs. cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy for p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer: an updated meta-analysis including trials RTOG 1016 and De-ESCALaTE

Purpose Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is a special entity among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Given its favorable prognosis, one of the de-escalating strategies in the treatment of OPC includes the introduction of cetuximab (C225) instead of cisplatin (CDDP) in conjunction with radiotherapy. An updated meta-analysis of published studies has been performed, which directly compared the efficacy of CDDP vs. C225 given concurrently with radiotherapy as definitive treatment of p16-positive OPC. Methods A systematic literature search was performed for studies published between 2006 and 2018. A total of 1490 citations were obtained and 8 studies met inclusion criteria, with a total of 1665 patients. Results The data from seven studies were available for the analysis of 2-year overall survival (OS). Calculated pooled OR for CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy vs. C225-based bioradiotherapy, was 0.45 (P < 0.0001). The data from eight studies were available for the analysis of 2-year locoregional recurrence (LRR). Calculated pooled OR for CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy vs. C225-based bioradiotherapy was 0.35 (P < 0.0001). Patients receiving CDDP with irradiation had 2.2- and 2.9-fold decreased risk for death from any cause and LRR, respectively. Conclusions For patients with HPV-positive OPC, radiotherapy plus C225 showed inferior OS and higher LRR rates compared with radiotherapy plus CDDP. CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy should remain standard of definitive treatment of p16-positive OPC.