Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42117394›Full record

Observational studyThe Laryngoscope2026

Refining the Multivariable Predictive-Prognostic PREDICTR-OPC Model for Survival in Surgical Escalation for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Lauren L Zhang, Caroline Kristunas, C Max Robinson, Jill M Brooks, Alice J Sitch, Stuart C Winter, Justin Weir, Paul Matthews, Terry M Jones, Keith Hunter and 9 more

Abstract readMulticenter StudyObservational StudyValidation Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in The Laryngoscope, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
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

19 authors.

Lauren L ZhangColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7102-9651
Caroline KristunasDepartment of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), Birmingham, UK.
C Max RobinsonDepartment of Cellular Pathology, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
Jill M BrooksDepartment of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), Birmingham, UK.
Alice J SitchInstitute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Stuart C WinterNuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Justin WeirDepartment Cellular Pathology, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
Paul MatthewsDepartment of Histopathology, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK.
Terry M JonesLiverpool Head and Neck Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Keith HunterLiverpool Head and Neck Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Pawel GolusinskiDepartment of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland.
Ketan A ShahDepartment of Cellular Pathology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Selvam ThavarajDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Catharine M WestTranslational Radiobiology Group, Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
Syed HaiderBreast Cancer Now Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, the Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
Edward OdellKing's College London; Head and Neck Pathology, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Paul NankivellDepartment of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), Birmingham, UK.
Sandra V von ZeidlerDepartment of Pathology, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil.
Hisham MehannaDepartment of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education (InHANSE), Birmingham, UK.

Funding

Cancer Research UK C19677/A12617
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThe PREDICTR-OPC model is the only prognostic classifier for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) also predictive of surgical outcomes. Of the four biomarkers included, survivin contributes minimally and presents practical limitations. This study aimed to refine and simplify the model by removing survivin, then re-assess its prognostic predictive performance compared to the original.

methodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed a multi-center training cohort (n = 600) and an external validation cohort (n = 385) of OPSCC patients. Tumor biopsies were stained for p16, high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) DNA, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and survivin and independently scored by at least three certified pathologists. Cox proportional hazards models assessed overall survival (OS), comparing three-biomarker (p16, HR-HPV, TILs) and four-biomarker models. Hazard ratios (HRs) for OS were estimated in the validation cohort, adjusting for covariates. Discrimination, calibration, and decision curve analysis (DCA) evaluated performance and clinical utility.

resultsAmong 985 patients (median age: 57 years), median OS = 8.8 years (95% CI: 6.9-10.5). The three-biomarker model yielded HR = 4.10 (95% CI: 2.41-6.98, p < 0.001) for high- vs. low-risk groups in the validation cohort, comparable to the four-biomarker model (HR = 4.24, p < 0.001). Surgery was associated with improved OS in high-risk (HR = 0.45, p = 0.001) but not low-risk (HR = 0.83, p = 0.72) patients, consistent with the original model. The models performed similarly across all metrics (e.g., Concordance Index: 0.71 vs. 0.72; Brier Score: 0.22 for both) as was model fit (Likelihood Ratio Test: p = 0.066). DCA revealed comparable clinical benefit.

conclusionRemoving survivin preserves PREDICTR-OPC's predictive performance, offering a more cost-effective, easier-to-implement tool for OPSCC treatment recommendations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3:

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Squamous CellOropharyngeal NeoplasmsAdultAgedBiomarkers, TumorFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPredictive Value of TestsPrognosisProportional Hazards ModelsRetrospective StudiesSurvivinBiomarkers, TumorSurvivinhuman papillomavirusoropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomaprognostic modelsurgical escalation

Identifiers

PMID42117394
PMCPMC13569650

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.