Study of Lower Dose Chemoradiotherapy in Older Adults with HPV-Positive Oropharynx Cancer Evaluating Cancer Control and Side Effects with Reduced Radiation and Chemotherapy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying a lower intensity treatment approach for elderly patients with HPV-associated oropharynx cancer. This study aims to compare the effects of using lower dose radiation with smaller treatment fields combined with chemotherapy against the usual higher dose treatments. The purpose is to see if this new approach can maintain similar cancer control rates while reducing long-term side effects, which have been common with standard high-dose radiation and chemotherapy. About 30 participants will receive radiation therapy once daily, five days a week, totaling 55 Gy over five weeks, alongside weekly cisplatin chemotherapy infusions for five weeks. The radiation will be delivered using intensity modulated radiation therapy IMRT and image-guided radiation therapy IGRT with smaller targeted fields. Chemotherapy infusions will last 30 to 60 minutes but may extend clinic time due to medications to prevent side effects. This regimen differs from the standard 69.96 Gy radiation over 6.5 weeks with chemotherapy. Participants will be monitored over two years to assess cancer progression-free survival, treatment benefits, tolerance, acute and late toxicities, and patterns of treatment failure. Assessments include medical exams, lab tests, and monitoring side effects. The study will help determine if the lower intensity treatment provides similar survival outcomes with fewer side effects. The study starts in May 2025 and lasts until September 2026.

Dose Adjusted Chemoradiotherapy in HPV-Associated Oropharynx Cancer of the Elderly