The microenvironment of HPV-associated and HPV-negative oropharyngeal tumors

Abstract

Patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal tumors have a survival advantage. They have better treatment response and less frequently develop recurrence. This recognition led to the inclusion of the indirect marker of an active viral infection -an expression of p16 protein -to the scoring system for oropharyngeal tumors and allowed for better risk stratification of patients. The substantially better prognosis of patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal tumors stimulated the discussion about modification of the therapy with the aim to decrease the side effects of the treatment by lowering the dose of chemotherapy or radiation