Why do some head and neck tumors fail within the high dose volume while clothes don’t? This study from DAHANCA analyzed clinical and molecular factors (specifically cancer stem cell markers) that were associated with high dose failure. 18.8% had high dose failures in the primary tumor or regional nodes. The volume of gross disease (>25 cc), high expression of CSC markers (CD44 and SLC3A2), and p16- status were significantly associated with high dose failure. Notably, p16- tumors, which have worse locoregional control, were found to typically have higher expression of CSC markers than p16+ tumors. But even within the latter group, higher CSC marker expression was associated with a higher risk of high dose failure. | Kristensen, Radiother Oncol 2024
