Concomitant chemoradiotherapy versus altered fractionation radiotherapy in the radiotherapeutic management of locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: An adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment intensification by using chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or altered fractionation radiotherapy (RT) improves outcomes in locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Two comprehensive meta-analyses with similar control arms (conventionally fractionated RT) were compared indirectly. RESULTS: The hazard ratio (HR) of death with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the overall comparison of altered fractionation RT with concomitant CRT was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.97-1.29; p = .07) suggesting no significant difference between both approaches. Compared to concomitant CRT, the HR for death was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.89-1.15; p = .82); 1.22 (95% CI, 0.94-1.59; p = .13); and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07-1.39; p = .002) for hyperfractionated RT; accelerated RT without total dose reduction; and accelerated RT with total dose reduction, respectively. CONCLUSION: Concomitant CRT and hyperfractionated RT are comparable to one another on indirect comparison in the radiotherapeutic management of locoregionally advanced HNSCC. Any form of acceleration (with or without total dose reduction) may not compensate fully for lack of chemotherapy.