ASCO 2021 | Prognostic factors and surgery in HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer

Marshall R. Posner, MD, The Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, discusses current and potential prognostic factors for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Current research in biomarkers and HPV genotypes may predict patient outcomes more accurately. HPV69 is a rare subtype of HPV but is associated with a worse patient prognosis. Tobacco smoking additionally can affect patient prognostics, with smokers more likely to be excluded from de-escalation trials. Prof. Posner also discusses surgery in treating HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, which has the potential to reduce the need for radiotherapy, shown in the SIRS (NCT02072148) and ECOG-ACRIN 3311 (NCT01898494) trials. This interview took place at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2021 Virtual Meeting.