Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer generally have very good outcomes. Patients' treatment responses depend more on their individual cancer characteristics and personal risk factors than on the specific type of treatment they receive. However, the different treatments used for this cancer can cause significant side effects. Because outcomes are often favorable regardless of treatment type, reducing treatment-related side effects should be a priority when choosing care. Studies have reported that lowering radiation doses for some patients can reduce side effects while still effectively controlling the cancer. Patients with this type of head and neck cancer typically receive either surgery or radiation as their first treatment. For patients who receive surgery first, radiation to the surgical area and nearby neck lymph nodes is often recommended afterward. In these patients, the study will test whether lowering the radiation dose to low-risk lymph nodes on the side of the neck opposite the tumor can reduce side effects while still effectively controlling the cancer (Method A). For patients who receive radiation as their first treatment, the study will test one or both of two radiation approaches aimed at reducing both short-term and long-term side effects. These approaches include reduced lymph node radiation (Method A, described above) and a tumor dose reduction approach (Method B), which lowers the radiation dose delivered directly to the tumor. Information such as tumor size, the number of cancerous or suspicious lymph nodes, and risk factors like smoking history will be used to determine which patients may be eligible for reduced lymph node radiation (Method A), reduced tumor radiation (Method B), or both. Patients who may qualify for tumor dose reduction (Method B), either alone or combined with Method A, will need an additional blood test called a circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) test to determine eligibility. The ctDNA test measures small amounts of tumor-related DNA in the blood, which are often elevated at the time of diagnosis. Studies have shown that cancer is more likely to return when ctDNA levels remain positive after treatment. This study will evaluate whether ctDNA levels measured before and during treatment can help identify patients who can safely receive lower radiation doses to the tumor (Method B). Overall, this study aims to safely evaluate two radiation de-escalation approaches in order to lessen short- and long-term side effects while maintaining excellent cancer control.

A prospective collection of 35 cases was conducted at Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University. Patients diagnosed with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma (LA-OSCC) or locally advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-OPSCC) from April 2023 onward, who received two cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (tislelizumab + paclitaxel + cisplatin/carboplatin) at our institution, were included. The study analyzed treatment safety, efficacy, tumor regression patterns, 2-year progression-free survival (PFS), and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates.

In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group will first receive SBRT (6Gy\*3 fractions) to treat the primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes. This will be followed by a combination of Toripalimab, Docetaxel, and Cisplatin for three cycles, every three weeks. The control group will receive the same combination of Toripalimab, Docetaxel, and Cisplatin for three cycles, every three weeks, but without SBRT. After the final round of chemotherapy, all participants will have imaging scans and, three weeks later, undergo surgery. After surgery, they may also receive additional radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Patients can also choose whether to continue treatment with Toripalimab after surgery.

HPV-associated Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC) is a type of cancer that affects parts of the throat, like the tonsils and the base of the tongue. The treatments for OPSCC, which may include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often cause serious side effects, such as loss of taste, dry mouth, and long-term problems with swallowing. These side effects can lower patients' quality of life and make it difficult for them to eat and speak normally. This study aims to explore whether using lower doses of radiation after surgery can help improve long-term swallowing function in patients with HPV-positive OPSCC. By doing this, the study team hopes to reduce treatment-related side effects while maintaining good cancer control.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination therapy of immunotherapy (Tislelizumab), targeted therapy (Cetuximab), with chemotherapy (Cisplatin and Nab-paclitaxel) as a possible treatment before and after salvage surgery for locally recurrent oral/pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The combination of Tislelizumab，Cetuximab, Cisplatin and Nab-paclitaxel will be given prior to your surgery, while Tislelizumab and Cetuximab will be continued for approximately half a year after surgery.

A clinical study of an immunotherapy in patients with head or neck cancers associated with the HPV16 virus