Effectiveness of reduced- versus standard-dose radiotherapy on survival and radiation-associated toxicity in patients with human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review protocol.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nThe objective of the review is to investigate overall survival in patients with human papillomavirus positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) comparing standard- versus reduced-dose radiotherapy.Introduction: The improved survival of patients with HPV+ compared to HPV- (HPV negative) OPSCC has raised the question regarding reducing the total radiation treatment dose delivered to patients with HPV+ OPSCC. A de-escalated radiotherapy protocol may provide equal oncological benefit with reduced adverse events/toxicity.\n\n\nINCLUSION CRITERIA\nWe will include any adult patients aged 18\u200ayears or older who have undergone curative intent treatment for HPV+ OPSCC. These patients can be of any stage at the time treatment is initiated. Exclusion criteria will include pre-clinical or animal-based studies, patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma lesions of the oropharynx, primary lesions in other head and neck sites, or if treatment is palliative in nature.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA three-step search strategy will be conducted to identify relevant articles for inclusion through MEDLINE (PubMed and Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (Elsevier), Web of Science, Scopus, and gray literature sources. These articles will be assessed against our inclusion and exclusion criteria at a title and abstract level, as well as at full-text level. Remaining studies will be critically appraised based on their trial design. Data extraction will occur for all studies and, where possible, will be pooled with statistical meta-analysis.\n\n\nSYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER\nPROSPERO CRD42021252161.