Lack of CD44 overexpression and application of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin independently indicate excellent prognosis in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer

BACKGROUND: HPV-16 positivity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx (OPSCC) is associated with better prognosis. However, in more than 40% of HPV infected patients progression of cancer disease is observed, which indicates the presence of cancer cells resistant to therapy. Some studies suggest that there may be a subpopulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which simultaneously exhibit unlimited ability to self-renew and...