Effect of afatinib combined with induction chemotherapy on primary tumor regression and safety of surgical margins in locally advanced oral cancer

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of afatinib in combination with induction chemotherapy on primary tumor regression, surgical margin security, and long-term prognostic outcomes in patients with locally advanced oral cancer (LAOC). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 218 LAOC patients admitted to The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University and Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Tianshui City from 2016 to 2019, assigned to a combination group (afatinib + TPF, n=115) and a control group (TPF alone, n=103). Tumor regression (RECIST 1.1, pathological grading), positive margin rate, tumor markers, adverse reactions, and 5-year survival were analyzed and compared; Logistic and COX regression models were used to analyze risk factors. RESULTS: Combination group had higher ORR (70.43% vs. 57.28%, P=0.043), DCR (93.04% vs. 75.73%, P