This is a single arm Phase I study of de-intensified hypofractionated radiation therapy for favorable human papilloma virus-associated oropharynx cancer. It will evaluate the tolerability of a de-intensified hypofractionated radiation therapy regimen completed in 3 weeks (with equivalent biologically effective dose to 60 Gy in 30 fractions) with concurrent weekly cisplatin.
Standard of care radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) involves conventional fractionation delivered over a course of 7 weeks. Although hypofractionated RT (HFRT) delivering higher dose of RT each day over a shorter overall treatment time has been studied and adopted as standard of care in many disease sites including breast and prostate cancers, data on HFRT in HNSCC is limited. There is a strong radiobiological rationale for HFRT for HNSCC to decrease the overall treatment time and thus the effects of accelerated repopulation in this disease entity. In addition, if similar outcomes can be achieved with a reduced number of fractions, cost effectiveness of care can be improved while minimizing the disruption to the patient's personal and professional lives. A substantial decrease in treatment time may improve compliance and financial toxicity associated with the patient's oncologic treatment. The global COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the health risk to society at large of having no viable alternative to a 7 week daily RT course for HNSCC, especially in the setting of compromised immune systems associated with concurrent chemotherapy frequently used in this patient population. Thus, the study of HFRT for HNSCC is both timely and potentially paradigm changing for practices across the United States. The incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV)-associated oropharynx cancer is increasing in the United States, now accounting for 70-80% of all oropharynx cancers. It has a favorable prognosis vs. non-HPV-associated cancers and studies are ongoing to determine the best strategy to de-intensified therapy while maintaining good oncologic outcomes. The purpose of this single-arm Phase I study is to assess the tolerability and signal for efficacy of de-intensified HFRT for favorable HPV-associated oropharynx cancer. De-intensification will be achieved in two ways. First, the equivalent biologically effective dose (BED) of HFRT used on trial will be 60 Gy of conventionally fractionationated RT (vs. the current standard of care of 70 Gy). Second, the elective nodal volume irradiated will be limited to involved nodal levels and one immediately adjacent level (vs. the current standard of care of entire bilateral neck nodal regions). Patients will complete RT in 15 fractions (3 weeks) with concurrent weekly cisplatin on dose level 0. If a 3-week regimen is not well-tolerated, a 20 fraction regimen will be used on dose level -1.
Hypofractionated intensity modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy (weekly cisplatin)
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States
Maximally Tolerated Dose/Fractionation of Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy
The number of participants experiencing dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) will be used to determine the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) or optimal fractionation of hypofractionated radiation therapy. Level 0: 46.5 Gy in 15 fractions Level -1: 52 Gy in 20 fractions
Time frame: 3 months
Clinician-reported Acute Toxicities
Toxicities as measured by CTCAE v5.0
Time frame: 0-3 months
Clinician-reported Late Toxicities
As measured by CTCAE v5.0
Time frame: 3-12 months
Percentage of Participants With Locoregional Control
Locoregional control defined as freedom from locoregional recurrence. Locoregional recurrence defined as biopsy-proven viable cancer originating from the primary tumor site (i.e. oropharynx) or a lymph node basin above the clavicles.
Time frame: 12 months
Percentage of Participants With Progression Free Survival
Progression-free survival defined as time from start of treatment to time of progression or death.
Time frame: 1-12 months
Percentage of Participants With Overall Survival
Overall survival defined as time from start of treatment o time of death.
Time frame: 24 months
Swallowing-related Patient-reported Quality of Life
Change from baseline in swallowing-related quality of life, as measured by the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) total score, assessed at specified time points (baseline,1, 3, 6, and 12 months) during and after treatment. Higher scores indicate better function, 0-100. Analyses were descriptive, and a paired t test was used to compare questionnaire results over time with P \< .05 considered statistically significant. MDADI composite score difference of 10 was deemed clinically meaningful.
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Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
Time frame: 1-12 months
Head and Neck Patient-reported Quality of Life
Change from baseline in head and neck patient-reported outcomes quality of life, as measured by the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOL), assessed at specified time points (baseline,1, 3, 6, and 12 months) during and after treatment. Higher scores on UW-QOL subscales indicate better quality of life, 0 being worst and 100 being the best outcome. A paired t test was used to compare questionnaire results over time with P \< .05 considered statistically significant. UW-QOL was divided into 2 subscales of physical and social-emotional function with change of 0.5 x standard deviation (SD) and 0.8 x SD considered moderate and large effect, respectively. Scale title: Patient-reported quality of life at baseline and after treatment (0-100) Physical UW-QOL minimum: 45.83 Physical UW-QOL maximum: 100 Social-Emotional UW-QOL minimum: 17.5 Social-Emotional UW-QOL maximum: 100
Time frame: 1-12 months
General Patient-reported Quality of Life
EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D-5L): 1-5, higher scores mean worse quality of life. Index score: 0-1, higher scores mean better quality of life. Visual Analog scale: 0-100, higher scores mean better quality of life.
Time frame: 1-12 months
Feeding Tube Dependence
Dependence on tube feeds defined as any participant with daily use of ≥2 nutritional supplements per day via the feeding tube at the time of evaluation.
Time frame: 1-12 months