Results of intensifying radiation treatment in advanced laryngeal, hypopharyngeal (LH) and oropharyngeal cancers (OPC) using metabolic dose escalation strategies: (INTELHOPE).
Radiother OncolJul 11, 2026 (epub)
Sanjoy Chatterjee, Shaurav Maulik, Jyoti Sharma et al.
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In 30 seconds
This Phase II randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of FDG-PET guided escalated radiation dosing (73.5 Gy) versus standard dosing (66 Gy) in patients with locally advanced p16-negative oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal cancers. The study found no significant differences in 2-year locoregional control (85.4%), disease-free survival, or overall survival between the two treatment arms.
Key findings
- 2-year locoregional control rate was 85.4%, with no significant difference between arms (88.6% vs 82.2%).
- 2-year disease-free survival rates were 59.7% for standard and 54.8% for escalated dosing, p = 0.65.
- 2-year overall survival rates were 67.3% for standard and 66.6% for escalated dosing, p = 0.99.
- Only one patient experienced Grade 4 toxicity, indicating safety of both treatment approaches.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that while FDG-PET guided dose escalation is feasible, it does not enhance treatment outcomes in high-risk laryngopharyngeal cancers. Clinicians should consider these results when planning radiation therapy strategies.