C-reactive protein in patients with HPVp16-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. A single center retrospective study.

CRP cut-off Levels were defined by ROC curve at 13,6 mg/L. Results: Absolute CRP levels between HPVp16-positive and HPVp16-negative patients did not differ significantly. In the overall cohort elevated CRP levels (>13,6 mg/L) were associated with reduced overall survival (P=.01) and recurrence-free survival (P< .001). Within the HPVp16-negative group OS and RFS were significantly reduced in patients with elevated CRP levels (p<.001 and p<.001, respectively) in univariate and multivariate analysis, whereas no significant differences could be found with the HPVp16-positive group in OS and DFS.

Conclusion: Patients with HPVp16-negative OPSCC and elevated CRP level at 13,6 mg/L prior to therapy showed significantly reduced OS and RFS, whereas among HPVp16-positive patients elevated CRP levels did not show any impact on OS or RFS.