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In the past, resistance mechanisms were usually thought of as static. Our study demonstrates, conversely, that a binary designation of resistance may oversimplify cancer’s true biology. These genetic mutations can fluctuate over time, and some patients can harbor more than one mutation.
Zofia Piotrowska, MD, lead author of the study
In an era where cancer treatment is increasingly personalized to the biology of each individual patient, our findings highlight the importance of molecular testing and the need for improved, noninvasive methods for serial testing.
Zofia Piotrowska, MD
In the past year, the Vice President’s moonshot initiative has brought critical attention to the need for greater collaboration and innovation in cancer research, and we are invigorated at the prospect of radiation oncology being an instrumental component of future progress. Moving forward, we must maintain the focus on advancing both the science and practice of cancer care while aligning our efforts to move Congress to authorize the $700 million requested by the President for cancer research initiatives. Substantial, predictable financial support is essential to sustain the fight to eradicate cancer.
Bruce G. Haffty, MD, FASTRO, past Chair of ASTRO’s Board of Directors
The goal of ASTRO’s 2016 Annual Meeting is to highlight the latest scientific and technological advances while emphasizing the importance of radiation oncology in providing value to cancer patients through cure and palliation.
ASTRO President David C. Beyer, MD, FASTRO
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Study maps distinct molecular signatures of HPV-positive throat cancer patients by smoking status

Novel molecular profiles may support more aggressive treatment decisions for some patientsThroat cancer patients exposed to both human papillomavirus (HPV) and tobacco smoke demonstrate a pattern of mutations along several key cancer genes, according to research presented at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. These distinct molecular profiles of heavy and light smokers who develop HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may inform decisions related to treatment intensity by establishing additional prognostic criteria for this subset of patients.

Induction chemotherapy does not predict survival advantage over concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer

Patients receiving induction chemotherapy less likely to receive definitive course of radiation treatmentHead and neck cancer patients who receive induction chemotherapy (IC; chemotherapy administered prior to radiation therapy) rather than the standard treatment of concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) do not benefit from increased survival rates and are less likely to receive a full course of radiation, according to research presented at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The study, which examined more than 8,000 patient records in the National Cancer Data Base,

Uninsured and Medicaid patients with head and neck cancer more likely to present with advanced tumors, experience cancer specific mortality

Nationwide study finds radiation therapy, surgery used less often for head and neck cancer patients with Medicaid or no health insuranceCompared to patients with non-Medicaid insurance, uninsured patients and patients with Medicaid are more likely to present with advanced stages of head and neck cancer and have higher overall and cancer-specific mortality rates, according to research presented at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The study of patients in a large, national cancer registry also found less use radiation therapy (RT) for uninsured and Medicaid patients

Most recurrences of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer can be found through imaging and physical exams within six months after treatment

For patients treated with definitive radiation therapy (RT) for oropharyngeal cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), the majority of recurrences can be detected by post-treatment imaging at three months and physical exams during the six months following treatment, according to research presented at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The number of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) cases associated with HPV has climbed “dramatically” in the past several decades, according to the American Cancer Society, and survival rates following definitive RT

Chemoradiation may increase survival for a subset of elderly head and neck cancer patients

Findings update historical data demonstrating no benefit of this combined therapy for patients older than 70 yearsThe addition of chemotherapy (CT) to radiation therapy (RT) improves survival rates among a subset of elderly head and neck cancer patients, specifically those ages 71 to 79 with low comorbidity scores and advanced disease stage, according to research presented at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. Drawing on nationwide population-based data, the study demonstrated a survival benefit of chemoradiation therapy (CRT) similar to that for younger head and

Majority of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers use life-altering strategies to cope with cost of treatment

Study also finds perceived social isolation affects health care utilizationThe majority of patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers (LAHNC) rely on cost-coping strategies that alter their lifestyle in order to manage the financial burden of their care, according to research presented at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. Researchers also identified perceived social isolation, or a lack of social support coupled with increased loneliness, as a risk factor for sub-optimal medication adherence and health care utilization during treatment for LAHNC.

Leading oncology research to be highlighted in news briefings at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium

News briefings also available live via webcastThe 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Head & Neck Society (AHNS), will explore the heterogeneous group of tumors in head and neck cancers and the various complexities and factors in providing treatment. The multidisciplinary approach includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in addition to novel molecular biologic therapies that show promise in improving patient outcomes. The two-

Leading oncology research to be highlighted in news briefings at the 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium

News briefings also available live via webcastWhat:  The 2016 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Head & Neck Society (AHNS), will explore the heterogeneous group of tumors in head and neck cancers and the various complexities and factors in providing treatment. The multidisciplinary approach includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in addition to novel molecular biologic therapies that show promise in improving patient outcomes.

Long-term results of RTOG 9903 indicate EPO combined with RT does not improve local-regional control in anemic patients with head and neck cancer

Long-term analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9903 demonstrates that the addition of erythropoietin (EPO) did not improve local-regional control for anemic patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCa) who receive radiation therapy or chemoradiation, according to a study published in the April 1, 2015 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). This study is a long-term analysis of RTOG 9903, originally published in 2007[1],

Hyperfractionated radiation therapy improves local-regional control, no increase in late toxicity for patients with head and neck cancer

Fairfax, Va., May 1, 2014—Patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck treated with hyperfractionated radiation therapy (HFX) experienced improved local-regional control and, with patients censored at five years, improved overall survival with no increase in late toxicity, according to a study published in the May 1, 2014 edition of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology ● Biology ● Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). This study, “Final Results of Local-Regional Control and

Daily humidification of the mouth and throat region during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer reduces mucositis and hospitalization

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—Patients who received daily humidification of the mouth and throat region beginning from day one of radiation therapy treatment spent nearly 50 percent fewer days in the hospital to manage their side effects, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The study was conducted by the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group and evaluated 210 head and neck cancer patients in New Zealand and Australia from June 2007 through June 2011. Patients in this Phase III trial were randomized to institutional

Data indicates that HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients are nearly twice as likely to survive as HPV-negative patients

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—A retrospective analysis of oropharyngeal patients with recurrence of disease after primary therapy in the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) studies 0129 or 0522 found that HPV-positive patients had a higher overall survival (OS) rate than HPV-negative patients (at two years post-treatment, 54.6 percent vs. 27.6 percent, respectively), according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The analysis included 181 patients with stage III-IV oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with known HPV

Mutant-Allele Tumor Heterogeneity, HPV status in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients are effective markers of improved patient outcome

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—Evaluating next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and associated clinical records of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients from several institutions, made available through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), showed that combining Mutant-Allele Tumor Heterogeneity (MATH) as a biomarker with the patient’s HPV status provides an effective indicator of improved patient outcome, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The TCGA data available for HNSCC patients included 302 patients,

HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx patients’ recurrence differs from HPV-negative patients

Data indicates distant metastases at a later date, in more subsites and in more atypical sitesScottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—Patients with HPV-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCOP) had a longer time to development of distant metastasis (DM) after initial treatment, and had more metastatic sites in more atypical locations compared to HPV-negative patients, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. Culled from records of an IRB-approved registry, the study reviewed 285 patients with stage III-IV SCCOP (

Patients with oropharyngeal cancer report quality of voice and speech affected post-treatment

Study indicates limiting radiation dose to the glottic larynx beneficialScottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—Oropharyngeal cancer patients treated with combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy reported a decrease in their voice and speech quality (VSQ) for up to one year after the completion of treatment, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The study further shows that limiting the dose of radiation to the glottic larynx (GL) to less than 20 Gy resulted in a decrease in post-treatment VSQ problems, and that patient-reported

Oropharyngeal cancer patients report benefit in salivary function with reduction of radiation dose to bilateral IB lymph nodes

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—For head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, a reduction in the amount of radiation treatment volume to the submandibular (level IB) lymph nodes resulted in better patient-reported salivary function, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. The study results also found significant reductions in radiation dose to the salivary organs, and good local regional control. Researchers evaluated 125 patients with node-positive oropharyngeal cancer who received chemoradiation at

Study offers preliminary evidence that limiting radiation to major salivary glands in head and neck cancer patients is feasible and safe

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—Avoiding the contralateral submandibular gland during radiation therapy is feasible and safe with advanced stage, node positive head and neck cancers and base of tongue lesions, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 71 patients from two facilities—the University of Colorado Cancer Center and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The median patient age was 55, and about 50 percent of the patients were current or former smokers. Forty

Unilateral radiation therapy for advanced stage tonsil cancer results in favorable outcomes

Scottsdale, Ariz., February 20, 2014—Limiting radiation therapy to lymph nodes on one side of the neck for advanced tonsil cancer resulted in good local regional control and no cancer recurrence on the untreated side, according to research presented today at the 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium. Additionally, the study results indicate that primary tumor location, rather than the amount of lymph node involvement on the tumor side of the neck, dictates the risk for disease in the opposite side of the neck. The study focused on 46 out of 153 total patients with

Media Registration Open for 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium

In Scottsdale, Arizona, February 20-22, 2014What: The 2014 Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Head & Neck Society (AHNS), will explore the heterogeneous group of tumors in head and neck cancers, and the various complexities and factors in providing treatment. The multidisciplinary approach includes surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in addition to novel molecular biologic therapies that show promise in improving outcomes. The two-and-

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