Prognostic biomarkers of survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Head & neck Vol. 35; no. 7; pp. 1048 - 1055
• Main Authors: Rainsbury, James W., Ahmed, Waseem, Williams, Hazel K., Roberts, Sally, Paleri, Vinidh, Mehanna, Hisham
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01-07-2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: biomarker; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - complications; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - virology; human papillomavirus; Humans; oropharyngeal cancer; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - complications; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - mortality; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms - virology; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections - complications; Papillomavirus Infections - virology; Prognosis; prognostic; survival; Survival Rate
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.22950

Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity improves prognosis in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Combining HPV status with other biomarkers may improve its prognostic power.
Methods
The approach was a literature search for longitudinal studies of biomarkers in OPSCC, with systematic review and meta‐analysis.
Results
In all, 3130 articles were identified; 32 satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. On meta‐analysis, there was a significant overall survival (OS) benefit for patients with HPV positive and p16 positive tumors. There was some evidence of improved OS of OPSCC patients with raised bcl2; amplification of 11q3 and loss of 16q genes; and low c‐met, ki67, IMD, PLK, FHIT, nuclear surviving, or nuclear cyclin D1. However, none of these was suitable for meta‐analysis.
Conclusion
Survival from OPSCC is associated with several biomarkers, which constitute potential targets for research into improving the prognostic power of HPV in OPSCC. Larger trials are needed, with standardization of cut‐points and adherence to consensus reporting guidelines. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013