Therapeutic options for human papillomavirus-positive tonsil and base of tongue cancer.

ABSTRACT: The incidences of human papillomavirus-positive (HPV⁺) tonsillar and base tongue squamous cell carcinomas (TSCC and BOTSCC) have increased in recent decades. Notably, HPV⁺ TSCC and BOTSCC have a significantly better prognosis than their HPV-negative counterparts when treated with current surgical options, radiotherapy, or intensified chemoradiotherapy. However, a cure is not achieved in 20% of patients with HPV⁺ TSCC/BOTSCC. Meanwhile, cured patients often present with severe chronic side effects. This necessitates novel tailored alternatives, such as targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and treatment de-escalation, together with better follow-up. Current precision medicine therefore focuses on detecting predictive and driver cancer genes

SUBMITTER: Zupancic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12087873 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature