Experts find new treatment for HPV-linked oral cancer

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have found a new and more effective treatment for HPV-associated oropharynx cancer.

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According to the clinic, this new treatment leads to excellent disease control and has fewer side effects, compared to standard treatment and as well faster.

The Clinic said it has adopted this shorter course treatment as its standard of care for well-selected patients after its phase three trial results show it is more effective.

According to the report of the phase 3 trial already published by a peer-reviewed online medical journal, Eurekalert, the new treatment employs minimally invasive surgery and half the standard dose of radiation therapy, compared to current treatments.

The new treatment also lasts for two weeks, rather than the standard six weeks.

The results from the study were presented on Tuesday, October 20, at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s Annual Meeting.

The study was led by a radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Dr. Daniel Ma.

The researcher with his colleagues developed an initial clinical trial looking at a new treatment using minimally invasive surgery and half the standard dose of radiation.

The initial clinical trial demonstrated that well-selected patients could have excellent disease control with much lower toxicity using the new treatment.

“Throat cancer caused by HPV is one of the fastest-growing cancer types in the United States,” Ma said.

Dr. Ma noted that while the standard treatment for this type of cancer leads to high cure rates, it may also result in many short-term and long-term treatment toxicities, including dry mouth, problems swallowing, neck stiffness and jawbone problems.

“He also noted that many of the side effects from the treatment are directly linked to the amount of radiation used for treatment.“The radiation oncologist said.

Oluchi Okwuego/punch