The COMPLETE study: HolistiC early respOnse assessMent for oroPharyngeaL cancer paTiEnts

Project summary

In the Netherlands 300 patients with HPV negative squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx are diagnosed each year. Despite improvements of the chemo-radiation treatment in the last decades, the incidence of locoregional failure (LRF) remains disappointingly high (37% at two years) and longterm toxicity is substantial for patients that survive. Within the HPV negative patient population, no accurate prognostic models are available for accurate patient stratification. This project therefore focuses on a holistic approach to gain insight in novel potential prognostic biomarkers to predict response to treatment for HPV negative oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Identification of early biomarkers that can be used to stratify oropharyngeal cancer patients in responders and non-responders would allow future selection of patients for personalized treatments.