Barbara Burtness
Papers
5
Total Citations
133
H-Index
4
About
Barbara Burtness is a leading oncologist whose research focuses on treatment de-escalation for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer, aiming to reduce toxicity while preserving excellent survival outcomes. Her major contribution is spearheading the landmark ECOG-ACRIN E3311 trial, which demonstrated that select patients with p16+ oropharynx cancer undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) can safely receive reduced-dose adjuvant radiation (50 Gy) without compromising progression-free survival. This work, cited over 100 times, has reshaped clinical practice by offering a less toxic alternative to standard chemoradiation. Burtness also developed a novel surgeon credentialing and quality assurance process for the trial, ensuring procedural consistency across institutions. Her research further identifies pretreatment predictors for adjuvant therapy and explores the evolving role of surgery in de-escalation protocols. With a career dedicated to personalizing head and neck cancer treatment, Burtness has driven a paradigm shift toward minimizing long-term side effects for HPV-positive patients, establishing her as a key figure in oncologic de-intensification.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 3The role of surgery and deescalation for HPV‐related oropharyngeal cancer10 citations · 2024
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