1125PRadiotherapy plus cisplatin (CDDP) or cetuximab (C225) in human papilloma-virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)? A dilemma finally resolved. An updated meta-analysis

Abstract Background Human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is a special entity among head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) characterised by higher survival rates compared to similar stage HPV-negative OPC. Due to favorable prognosis, a significant interest in ‘’less toxic’’ therapies (de-escalating strategies) in the treatment of HPV-associated OPC had been introduced. One of the approaches included introduction of cetuximab (C225) instead of cisplatin (CDDP) in conjunction with radiotherapy as a definitive treatment option in these patients. The aim of the updated meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of CDDP vs. C225 given concurrently with radiotherapy as definitive treatment of HPV-associated OPC, with inclusion of the latest trials investigating this specific issue. To our knowledge this is currently the largest investigation on this matter. 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, resulting in inclusion of 1665 patients in this meta-analysis. Results Analysis of pooled studies showed no significant heterogeneity or publication bias. Two-year overall survival (OS) calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) for CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy vs. C225-based bioradiotherapy, was 0.45 (P  Conclusions According to the evidence demonstrated by our meta-analysis, CDDP-based chemoradiotherapy should remain the standard of definitive treatment of HPV-associated OPC. Further investigations are necessary in order to define optimal treatment in HPV-negative HNSCCs. Legal entity responsible for the study Petar Suton. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.