Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40410757›Full record

ArticleCancer cell international2025

UFUR maintenance therapy significantly improves survival in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma following definitive chemoradiotherapy.

Jason Chia-Hsun Hsieh, Ming-Yu Lien, Pei-Hung Chang, Hung-Ming Wang, Kun-Yun Yeh, Ching-Liang Ho, Ching-Yun Hsieh, Meng-Che Hsieh, Jia-Hong Chen

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Article in Cancer cell international, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Jason Chia-Hsun Hsieh *College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
Ming-Yu Lien *Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
Pei-Hung Chang *College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
Hung-Ming WangCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
Kun-Yun YehCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
Ching-Liang HoDivision of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No.325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Rd., Neihu District, Taipei City, 11490, Taiwan.
Ching-Yun HsiehDivision of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 404, Taiwan.
Meng-Che Hsieh *Department of Hematology-Oncology, E-Da Cancer Hospital, No.21, E-Da Rd., Yan-Chao Dist, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan. philips115@gmail.com.
Jia-Hong Chen *Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, No.325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Rd., Neihu District, Taipei City, 11490, Taiwan. ed111216@edah.org.tw.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presents significant therapeutic challenges, particularly in patients with advanced disease. Despite advancements in treatment, high recurrence rates and poor overall survival (OS) remain major concerns. This study evaluates the impact of tegafur-uracil (UFUR) maintenance therapy on survival outcomes in patients with advanced HNSCC following definitive chemoradiotherapy.

methodsA cohort of 424 advanced HNSCC patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy were analyzed, with a median follow-up of 25 months. Patients were stratified into UFUR (+) and UFUR (-) groups, with baseline characteristics balanced across both arms. Oncologic outcomes, including recurrence-free survival (RFS), OS, locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were compared between these groups.

resultsUFUR maintenance therapy significantly reduced recurrence rates (34% vs. 47%, p < 0.002), driven primarily by improving locoregional control (23% vs. 37%, p < 0.001). While distant metastasis rates were similar between groups, UFUR (+) patients demonstrated a markedly improved median OS (51.6 months vs. 24.3 months, p < 0.001). The UFUR (+) group also showed superior median LRFS (36.9 months vs. 20.2 months, p = 0.003) and DMFS (44.0 months vs. 23.5 months, p = 0.010). Subgroup analysis confirmed the benefits of UFUR maintenance across different stages of disease. Multivariate analysis identified UFUR maintenance, gender, and T stage as independent predictors of survival.

conclusionUFUR maintenance therapy significantly improves survival outcomes in patients with advanced HNSCC following definitive chemoradiotherapy, particularly through enhanced locoregional control, and should be considered a key component of personalized treatment strategies.

Indexed as

HNSCCMaintenance therapyOverall survivalRecurrence-free survivalUFUR

Identifiers

PMID40410757
PMCPMC12102819

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