Addition of tumor microenvironment immune cell composition to improve the performance of a predictive model for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Conventional clinicopathological characteristics insufficiently predict prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We aimed to assess the added predictive value of tumor microenvironment immune cell composition (TMICC) in addition to conventional clinicopathological characteristics. METHODS: Primary tumor samples of 290 OSCC patients were immunohistochemically stained for CD4, CD8, CD20, CD68, CD163, CD57, FoxP3 and Programmed cell Death Ligand 1. Additionally, clinicopathological characteristics were obtained from patients' medical files. Predictive models were trained and validated by conducting Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analyses with cross-validation. To quantify the added predictive power of TMICC within models, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used. RESULTS: Recurrence occurred in 74 patients (25.5%). Conventional clinicopathological characteristics (tumor localization, pathological T-stage, pathological N-stage, extracapsular spread, resection margin, differentiation grade, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion) and treatment modality, were used to build a LASSO logistic regression-based predictive model. Addition of TMICC to the model resulted in a comparable AUC of respectively 0.79 (±0.01) and 0.76 (±0.1) in the training and test sets. The model indicated that high numbers of CD4+ T cells protected against recurrence. Lymph node metastasis, extracapsular spread, perineural invasion, positive surgical margins and reception of adjuvant treatment were associated with increased risk for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The TMICC, specifically the number of CD4+ T cells, is an independent predictor , however, addition to conventional clinicopathological characteristics does not improve the performance of a predictive model for recurrence in OSCC.

Head and neck cancer patients with geriatric deficits are more often non-responders and lost from follow-up in quality of life studies.

OBJECTIVES: To identify associations between frailty and non-response to follow-up questionnaires, in a longitudinal head and neck cancer (HNC) study with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients referred with HNC were included in OncoLifeS, a prospective data-biobank, underwent Geriatric Assessment (GA) and frailty screening ahead of treatment, and were followed up at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after treatment using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Head and Neck 35. Statistical analysis for factors associated with non-response was done using Generalized Linear Mixed Models. RESULTS: 289 patients were eligible for analysis. Mean age was 68.4 years and 68.5% were male. Restrictions in Activities of Daily Living [OR 4.46 (2.04-9.78)] and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [OR 4.33 (2.27-8.24)], impaired mobility on Timed Up and Go test [OR 3.95 (1.85-8.45)], cognitive decline [OR 4.85 (2.28-10.35)] and assisted living (OR 5.54 (2.63-11.67)] were significantly associated with non-response. Frailty screening, with Geriatric 8 and Groningen Frailty Indicator, was also associated with non-response [OR, respectively, 2.64 (1.51-4.59) and 2.52 (1.44-4.44)]. All findings remained significant when adjusted for other factors that were significantly associated with non-response, such as higher age, longer study duration and subsequent death. CONCLUSION: Frail HNC patients respond significantly worse to follow-up PROMs. The drop-out and underrepresentation of frail patients in studies may lead to attrition bias, and as a result underestimating the effect sizes of associations. This is of importance when handling and interpreting such data.

Association of Tumor Microenvironment with Biological and Chronological Age in Head and Neck Cancer.

There is often a mismatch between the chronological and biological age of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Treatment is based on chronological age, while biological age seems to be a better prognosticator for treatment toleration. This study investigated whether tumor characteristics are associated with chronological and biological age. The relation with survival was also assessed. Prospectively collected data from 164 newly diagnosed HNSCC patients enrolled in the OncoLifeS database were analyzed. Biological age was assessed by a multidomain geriatric assessment. Several immunological markers were tested by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarray sections from the tumor. Disease-free survival (DFS), adjusted for chronological- and biological age, was assessed by univariable and bivariable analyses. In biologically old patients, a lower infiltration of CD163+ macrophages (p = 0.036) as well as CD4+ (p = 0.019) and CD8+ (p = 0.026) lymphocytes was found in the tumor microenvironment. Chronological older patients showed significantly lower PD-L1 combined positive scores (p = 0.030). Advanced tumor stage and perineural growth were related to a worse DFS. None of the immunological markers showed a significant association with DFS. Biological age might have a stronger influence on tumor microenvironment than chronological age. These findings should initiate clinical studies investigating the response to specific treatment regimens (e.g., immunotherapy) according to the biological age.

Radiologically Defined Sarcopenia as a Biomarker for Frailty and Malnutrition in Head and Neck Skin Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether radiologically defined sarcopenia, or a low skeletal muscle index (SMI), could be used as a practical biomarker for frailty and postoperative complications (POC) in patients with head and neck skin cancer (HNSC). This was a retrospective study on prospectively collected data. The L3 SMI (cm2/m2) was calculated with use of baseline CT or MRI neck scans and low SMIs were defined using sex-specific cut-off values. A geriatric assessment with a broad range of validated tools was performed at baseline. POC was graded with the Clavien-Dindo Classification (with a grade of > II as the cut-off). Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed with low SMIs and POC as the endpoints. The patients' (n = 57) mean age was 77.0 ± 9 years, 68.4% were male, and 50.9% had stage III-IV cancer. Frailty was determined according to Geriatric 8 (G8) score (OR 7.68, 95% CI 1.19-49.66, p = 0.032) and the risk of malnutrition was determined according to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (OR 9.55, 95% CI 1.19-76.94, p = 0.034), and these were independently related to low SMIs. Frailty based on G8 score (OR 5.42, 95% CI 1.25-23.49, p = 0.024) was the only variable related to POC. However, POC was more prevalent in patients with low SMIs (∆ 19%, OR 1.8, 95% CI 0.5-6.0, p = 0.356).To conclude, a low SMI is a practical biomarker for frailty and malnutrition in HNSC. Future research should be focused on interventions based on low SMI scores and assess the effect of the intervention on SMI, frailty, malnutrition, and POC.

The association of frailty and outcomes of geriatric assessment with acute radiation-induced toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Geriatric impairments and frailty are highly prevalent in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). This study investigated the association of frailty and outcomes of geriatric assessment (GA) with radiation-induced toxicity (RIT) in patients undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy ((C)RT) for HNC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between October 2014 and April 2016, patients with HNC were prospectively included in OncoLifeS, an institutional data-biobank. Before treatment initiation, patients underwent GA and frailty screening (Groningen Frailty Indicator and Geriatric 8). The main outcome of this study was RIT (weight loss, mucositis, salivary gland inflammation, oral pain, sore throat, hoarseness, dry mouth, dysgeusia, dysphagia and general pain) according to the common terminology criteria of adverse events (CTCAE) version 4.0. Linear mixed models were performed, to analyse factors associated with increasing mean RIT over time during the treatment period. RESULTS: 160 patients were included. 114 (71.3%) were male and the mean age was 66.1 years. Age ≥ 65 (ß = 0.03(95 %CI = 0.01;0.05), p = 0.01), regional RT (ß = 0.05(95 %CI = 0.02;0.09), p = 0.004), and concurrent chemotherapy (ß = 0.04(95 %CI = 0.02;0.07), p = 0.001), were independent factors associated with increasing toxicity during the 7-week treatment period, adjusted for relevant covariates. None of the single items of GA, as well as the frailty screening instruments, were associated with increasing RIT. CONCLUSION: In this study, frailty and GA were not associated with additional RIT during treatment. These results suggest that (C)RT is equally tolerated in frail and non-frail patients, with respect to acute RIT. RT could be a suitable alternative to surgery in selected frail patients.

The effect of treatment delay on quality of life and overall survival in head and neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are rapidly developing tumours, and substantial delay in treatment initiation is associated with decreased overall survival. The effect of delay on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of delay on QOL and overall survival. METHODS: Patients with mucosal HNSCC were prospectively included. HRQOL and 2-year overall survival were analysed using linear mixed-model analyses and cox regression, respectively. Delay was defined as care pathway interval (CPI) of ≥30 days between first consultation and treatment initiation. RESULTS: Median CPI was 39 days for the 173 patients included. A trend towards higher HRQOL-scores (indicating better HRQOL) during 2-year follow-up for patients with delay in treatment initiation was visible in the adjusted models (HRQOL summary score-ß: 2.62, 95% CI: 0.57-4.67, p = 0.012). Factors associated with decreased overall survival were moderate comorbidities (HR: 5.10, 95% CI: 1.65-15.76, p = 0.005) and stage-IV tumours (HR: 12.37, 95% CI: 2.81-54.39, p = 0.001). Delay was not associated with worse overall survival. CONCLUSION: Timely treatment initiation is challenging, especially for patients with advanced tumours and initial radiotherapy treatment. Encountering delay in treatment initiation did not result in clinically relevant differences in HRQOL-scores or decreased overall survival during 2-year follow-up.

Association of Deficits Identified by Geriatric Assessment With Deterioration of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Accumulation of geriatric deficits, leading to an increased frailty state, makes patients susceptible for decline in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). Objective: To assess the association of single and accumulated geriatric deficits with HRQOL decline in patients after treatment for HNC. Design, Setting, and Participants: Between October 2014 and May 2016, patients at a tertiary referral center were included in the Oncological Life Study (OncoLifeS), a prospective data biobank, and followed up for 2 years. A consecutive series of 369 patients with HNC underwent geriatric assessment at baseline; a cohort of 283 patients remained eligible for analysis, and after 2 years, 189 patients remained in the study. Analysis was performed between March and November 2020. Interventions or Exposures: Geriatric assessment included scoring of the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation 27, polypharmacy, Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Timed Up & Go, Mini-Mental State Examination, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, marital status, and living situation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measure was the Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHS/QOL) scale of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. Differences between patients were evaluated using linear mixed models at 3 months after treatment (main effects, ß [95% CI]) and declining course per year during follow-up (interaction × time, ß [95% CI]), adjusted for baseline GHS/QOL scores, and age, sex, stage, and treatment modality. Results: Among the 283 patients eligible for analysis, the mean (SD) age was 68.3 (10.9) years, and 193 (68.2%) were male. Severe comorbidity (ß = -7.00 [-12.43 to 1.56]), risk of malnutrition (ß = -6.18 [-11.55 to -0.81]), and IADL restrictions (ß = -10.48 [-16.39 to -4.57]) were associated with increased GHS/QOL decline at 3 months after treatment. Severe comorbidity (ß = -4.90 [-9.70 to -0.10]), IADL restrictions (ß = -5.36 [-10.50 to -0.22]), restricted mobility (ß = -6.78 [-12.81 to -0.75]), signs of depression (ß = -7.08 [-13.10 to -1.06]), and living with assistance or in a nursing home (ß = -8.74 [-15.75 to -1.73]) were associated with further GHS/QOL decline during follow-up. Accumulation of domains with geriatric deficits was a major significant factor for GHS/QOL decline at 3 months after treatment (per deficient domain ß = -3.17 [-5.04 to -1.30]) and deterioration during follow-up (per domain per year ß = -2.74 [-4.28 to -1.20]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this prospective cohort study, geriatric deficits were significantly associated with HRQOL decline after treatment for HNC. Therefore, geriatric assessment may aid decision-making, indicate interventions, and reduce loss of HRQOL. Trial Registration: trialregister.nl Identifier: NL7839.

Frailty and restrictions in geriatric domains are associated with surgical complications but not with radiation-induced acute toxicity in head and neck cancer patients: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the association between frailty screening and geriatric assessment (GA) on short term adverse events in patients treated for head and neck cancer (HNC) for the first time in a prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Newly diagnosed HNC patients undergoing curative treatment were prospectively included in OncoLifeS, a data biobank. Prior to the start of treatment, frailty was assessed with a GA, Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) and Geriatric-8 (G8). The GA included comorbidity (Adult Comorbidity Evaluation - 27), nutritional status (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool), functional status ((instrumental) Activities of Daily Living), mobility (Timed Up & Go), psychological (Geriatric Depression Scale 15) and cognitive (Mini Mental State Examination) measures. Clinically relevant postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade 2) and acute radiation-induced toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 ≥ grade 2) were defined as outcome measures. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, yielding odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS: Of the 369 included patients, 259 patients were eligible for analysis. Postoperative complications occurred in 41/148 (27.7%) patients and acute radiation-induced toxicity was present in 86/160 (53.7%) patients. Number of deficit domains of GA (OR = 1.71, 95%CI = 1.14-2.56), GFI (OR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.02-6.31) and G8 (OR5.59, 95%CI = 2.14-14.60) were associated with postoperative complications, but not with radiation-induced toxicity. CONCLUSION: Frailty and restrictions in geriatric domains were associated with postoperative complications, but not with radiation-induced acute toxicity in curatively treated HNC patients. The results of this prospective study further emphasizes the importance of geriatric evaluation, particularly before surgery.

Determinants of delay in the head and neck oncology care pathway: The next step in value-based health care.

OBJECTIVE: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are relatively fast-growing tumours, and delay of treatment is associated with tumour progression and adverse outcomes. The aim of this study is to identify determinants of delay in a head and neck oncology centre. METHODS: This cohort study with prospectively collected data investigated associations between patient (including geriatric assessment at first consultation), tumour and treatment characteristics and treatment delay. Two quality indicator intervals assessing value-based healthcare were studied: care pathway interval (CPI, interval between first visit in an HNOC and treatment initiation) and time-to-treatment initiation (TTI, interval between histopathological confirmation of HNSCC and treatment initiation), using regression analyses. RESULTS: Stage-IV tumours and initial radiotherapy were independent predictors of delay in CPI. Initial radiotherapy was associated with delay in TTI. Overall, 37% of the patients started treatment within 30 days after first consultation (67% in case of initial surgical treatment and 11.5% if treated with (chemo)radiation, p < 0.001). Geriatric assessment outcomes were not associated with delay. Indicators for delay in initial surgery patients were stage-IV tumours (CPI). CONCLUSION: The majority of HNSCC patients encounter delay in treatment initiation, specifically in patients with advanced-stage tumours or when radiotherapy is indicated.

Frailty is associated with decline in health-related quality of life of patients treated for head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of frailty on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) after treatment for Head and Neck Cancer (HNC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were prospectively included in OncoLifeS, a data-biobank. Before treatment, patients underwent geriatric screening, including the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI) and Geriatric 8 (G8). Patients' HRQoL was measured using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC-QLQ-C30) at three, six, twelve and twenty four months after treatment. Linear mixed models were used for statistical analysis. All models were adjusted for baseline HRQoL values, relevant confounders at baseline and yielded estimates (ß), 95% confidence intervals and p-values. RESULTS: 288 patients were included. The mean age was 68.4 years and 68.8% were male. During follow-up, 84 patients had tumor recurrence and 66 died. Response to EORTC-QLQ-C30 ranged from 77.3% to 87.8%. Frail patients, defined by GFI, had significantly worse Global Health Status/Quality of Life (GHS/QoL) (ß = -8.70(-13.54;-3.86), p < 0.001), physical functioning (ß = -4.55(-8.70;-0.40), p < 0.032), emotional functioning (ß = -20.06(-25.65;-15.86), p < 0.001), and social functioning (ß = -8.44(-13.91;-2.98), p < 0.003) three months after treatment compared to non-frail patients. Furthermore, frail patients had a significantly worse course of GHS/QoL (ß = -7.47(-11.23;-3.70), p = 0.001), physical functioning (ß = -3.28(-6.26;-0.31), p = 0.031) and role functioning (ß = -7.27(-12.26;-2.28), p = 0.005) over time, compared to non-frail patients. When frailty was determined by G8, frailty was significantly associated with worse GHS/QoL (ß = -6.68(-11.00;-2.37), p = 0.003) and emotional functioning (ß = -5.08(-9.43;-0.73), p = 0.022) three months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Frail patients are at increased risk for decline in HRQoL, and further deterioration during follow-up after treatment for HNC.

Patients with head and neck cancer: Are they frailer than patients with other solid malignancies?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare frailty status between patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and other solid malignancies. METHODS: Data collection was prospective, and the following were compared between cohorts at baseline: patient and tumour characteristics, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental ADLs (IADLs), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Quality of Life (QoL). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated. RESULTS: In total, 242 patients with HNC and 180 with other oncology diagnoses were enrolled, of whom 32.6% and 21.8% were frail according to the GFI respectively. Comorbidity scores were not significantly different between the cohorts (7.4% vs. 13.1%; OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.28-1.02). In the univariate analysis, the GFI was significantly worse in the HNC cohort (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.11-2.71). However, in the multivariate analysis, the MMSE, TUG and global QoL were significantly worse in the HNC cohort, with ORs of 20.03 (95% CI 2.44-164.31), 11.56 (95% CI 1.86-71.68) and 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-1.00) respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with HNC appear to be frailer than patients with other solid malignancies despite comparable levels of comorbidity.

Geriatric assessment of patients treated for cutaneous head and neck malignancies in a tertiary referral center: Predictors of postoperative complications.

INTRODUCTION: As cutaneous head and neck malignancies are highly prevalent especially in older patients, the risk of surgical complications is substantial in this potentially vulnerable population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of geriatric assessment of this population with respect to postoperative complications. METHODS: Patients were prospectively included in OncoLifeS, a databiobank. Before surgery, patients underwent a geriatric assessment including multiple validated screening tools for frailty, comorbidity, polypharmacy, nutrition, functional status, social support, cognition and psychological status. Postoperatively, complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade II) were registered. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed yielding odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS: 151 patients undergoing surgery for cutaneous head and neck malignancies were included in this study (mean age 78.9 years, 73.5% male). In a multivariable analysis, frailty measured by the Geriatric 8 (G8) (OR = 6.34; 95%CI:1.73-23.25) was the strongest independent predictor of postoperative complications, among other predictors such as major treatment intensity (OR = 2.73; 95%CI:1.19-6.26) and general anesthesia (OR = 4.74; 95%CI:1.02-22.17), adjusted for age and sex. CONCLUSION: Frailty, measured by G8, is the strongest predictor of postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for cutaneous head and neck malignancies in addition to treatment intensity and type of anesthesia. Geriatric screening on multiple domains is recommended for patients with cutaneous malignancies undergoing head and neck surgery is recommended, as this population includes old patients and frequently suffers postoperative complications.