As this is a pilot study seeking to describe the potential impact of chemoradiotherapy on the natural history of any immunologic response in HPV-associated OPSCC, the timing of the venipunctures reflect the goal to sample throughout the course of CTRT (chemoradiation therapy)and will permit some variability based on the number of radiation fractions delivered. It also reflects considerations of time points that lend themselves to both the venipuncture and tumour biopsy based on the toxicity and response profile of the chemoradiation in the HPV-associated OPSCC patient. As such, 10 subjects with HPV-associated OPSCC and 10 subjects with non-HPV associated HNSCC seen by the respective disciplines of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, or medical oncology as clinically indicated will be enrolled on this clinical protocol. Importantly, clinical therapeutic recommendations, radiation treatment plans, and therapeutic drugs will not be altered by enrollment in this protocol. Tumors which are directly visible through in office laryngopharyngoscopy and easily accessible (i.e. oropharyngeal tonsil) will be directly biopsied (non-percutaneously) and analyzed as detailed below.
