Evaluation of De-escalated Adjuvant Radiation Therapy for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-Associated Oropharynx Cancer

This study is designed for patients with a cancer of the oropharynx (tonsils or base of tongue) caused by the HPV virus. Traditional treatment involves surgery followed by six weeks of daily radiation therapy. This study investigates a less intense radiation treatment following surgery that uses half the dose of radiation given over two weeks rather than six weeks. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive the less intense treatment versus the traditional treatment by coin flip. Patients are twice as likely to receive the less intense treatment during randomization.

Recent studies suggest that tumors in the oropharynx (tonsils or base of tongue) caused by the HPV virus are much more sensitive to radiation and chemotherapy. Standard treatment for HPV associated oropharynx tumor after surgery involves six weeks of radiation therapy and has many long term side effects and complications.

Mayo Clinic recently piloted a study investigating whether patients with HPV-associated oropharynx tumors can receive less radiation and chemotherapy after surgery when compared with the standard treatment. The investigators current study will compare the new, shorter treatment course (2 weeks of treatment) with the standard course of treatment (six weeks). Patients will be randomized to either the less intense or standard treatment arm. Patients will be twice as likely to receive the less intense treatment during randomization.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18 years.
* Histological confirmation of HPV+ squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. HPV positivity will be defined as positive staining for p16 on immunohistochemistry (IHC).
* Gross total surgical resection with curative intent of the primary tumor and at least unilateral neck dissection within 7 weeks of registration.
* ECOG Performance Status (PS) 0 or 1
* Absence of distant metastases on standard diagnostic work-up ≤ 10 weeks prior to registration. (Chest CT, Chest x-ray (CXR), or PET/CT.)
* Must have one of the following risk factors:

  * Lymph node \> 3 cm
  * 2 or more positive lymph nodes
  * Perineural invasion
  * Lymphovascular space invasion
  * T3 or T4 primary disease
  * Lymph node extracapsular extension
* The following laboratory values obtained ≥14 days prior to registration.

  * Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥1500/mm3
  * Platelet count ≥100,000/mm3
  * Hemoglobin ≥8.0g/dL
  * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL or creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min
  * Total bilirubin \< 2 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
  * AST or ALT \< 3 x institutional ULN
* Negative pregnancy test done ≤7 days prior to registration, for women of childbearing potential only.
* Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance.
* Provide informed written consent.
* Willingness to return to enrolling institution for follow-up (during the Active Monitoring Phase of the study).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any of the following because this study involves an agent that has known genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects:

  * Pregnant women
  * Nursing women
  * Men or women of childbearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception
* Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens.
* Immunocompromised patients and patients known to be HIV positive.
* Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements.
* Receiving any other investigational agent which would be considered as a treatment for the primary neoplasm.
* Other active malignancy ≤ 5 years prior to registration. EXCEPTIONS: Non-melanotic skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix. NOTE: If there is a history or prior malignancy, they must not be receiving other specific treatment for their cancer.
* Prior history of radiation therapy to the affected site.
* History of connective tissue disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren's disease.
* Presence of any of the following risk factors after surgery:

  * Any positive surgical margin.
  * Adenopathy below the clavicles
* Prior systemic chemotherapy.
* Receiving any medications or substances which in the opinion of the investigators would interfere with treatment. Examples could include strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 at oncologist discretion (see Appendix IV).
* Severe pre-existing ototoxicity or neuropathy that would, in the opinion of the investigator, preclude the use of cisplatin chemotherapy.