Combining Panitumumab With Anti-PD-1 Antibody in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck After Inadequate Response to Anti-PD-1 Antibody Alone.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies and anti-programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) antibodies have been used separately to treat metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). While two anti-EGFR antibodies have similar clinical activity, cetuximab is administered weekly, whereas panitumumab is administered every two weeks. This report details findings using panitumumab in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody in patients with relapsed refractory cSCC. Three consecutive patients with poor performance status and rapidly progressive recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the face or scalp signed informed consent to receive an anti-PD-1 antibody with the option to add panitumumab were there inadequate response. After 2, 5, and 7 cycles of anti-PD-1 antibody treatment, respectively, panitumumab was added and the combination was continued for 27, 7, and 5 cycles, respectively. Fatigue, rash, and hypomagnesemia were reported, consistent with expectations for either agent alone. All three patients achieved durable complete response. The favorable clinical outcomes support further evaluation of the combination of anti-PD1 and anti-EGFR antibodies to control refractory cSCC of the face or scalp. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(8):901-904. doi:10.36849/JDD.6175.

Population-based trends in outcomes in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the oral cavity.

PURPOSE: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant epithelial neoplasm of secretory glands of the upper aerodigestive tract. It accounts for 3-5% of head and neck malignancies and most commonly arises from the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. The clinical behavior of ACC from specific anatomic subsites, including the oral cavity, is not well described in the literature. We aim to elucidate patient demographics, clinicopathologic features, incidence, and survival trends for oral cavity ACC (OCACC). METHODS: Retrospective population-based analysis of OCACC in the SEER database between 1973 and 2012. RESULTS: 1066 OCACC patients were identified, of which 57.7% were female (P<0.0001). Incidence was 0.049 per 100,000. Whites were most commonly affected (81.1%). The hard palate was the most commonly involved subsite (44.1%). Nodal involvement was seen in 8.4% of cases and distant metastasis was present in 6.2% of cases at the time of presentation. Disease-specific survival (DSS) rates at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20years were 97.4%, 83.9%, 69.9%, 57.6%, and 46.2%, respectively. Females had a higher 5-year DSS (87.8%) than males (78.4%, P=0.0004). Cases treated with surgery had a favorable prognosis regardless of whether they received radiotherapy (P<0.0001). Nodal involvement reduced 5-year DSS by 51.6% (P<0.0001), while distant metastasis reduced 5-year DSS by 46.4% (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: OCACC is a rare malignancy with females and whites being more commonly affected. At presentation, regional and distant metastases are uncommon. Poor prognostic indicators include male gender, nonsurgical therapy, nodal involvement, and distant metastasis.

The prefabricated supraclavicular artery flap in high-risk tracheal stenosis patients.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Primary tracheal resection in appropriately selected patients with tracheal stenosis achieves >90% success rate. Risk factors for complications have been identified, making some patients high risk for this procedure. Herein is a review and discussion of a novel treatment method for tracheal stenosis utilizing a prefabricated composite auricular cartilage graft embedded in a supraclavicular artery island flap (pSCAIF) for tracheal reconstruction in high-risk patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, cases were analyzed after data collection. Between 2014 and 2016, eight patients underwent airway reconstruction using an auricular cartilage graft prefabricated within a supraclavicular artery island flap reconstruction; all of these were included in the study. Each case was reviewed, and relevant details of patient and disease characteristics, operative course, postoperative course, decannulation, and status at last follow-up were isolated and reported. RESULTS: Seven of eight patients were female. The most common cause of stenosis was iatrogenically induced multilevel stenosis (7/8 patients). All patients had undergone prior airway procedures, were high risk based on comorbid conditions, and underwent grafting and reconstruction with a composite supraclavicular island flap. All patients continue to follow up in a multidisciplinary clinic, and at last follow-up, eight of eight patients were successfully decannulated. CONCLUSIONS: The pSCAIF is a novel method for tracheal reconstruction. The analysis of the prefabricated locoregional approach cohort supports its utility for tracheal reconstruction in patients with complicated multilevel stenosis and adverse comorbidities and characteristics. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:641-648, 2020.

Submental artery island flap versus free flap reconstruction of lateral facial soft tissue and parotidectomy defects: Comparison of outcomes and patient factors.

OBJECTIVES: The submental artery island flap (SIF) has recently been described in temporal bone defects. At our institution we have broadened the application of the SIF and modified the harvest technique for complex lateral facial and skull base defects. Our primary aim is to evaluate the outcomes of patients undergoing complex lateral facial soft tissue, parotidectomy, and temporal bone defects who are reconstructed with the SIF to a similar cohort undergoing free tissue transfer reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients undergoing SIF and 54 patients undergoing free tissue flaps for oncologic lateral facial, parotidectomy and temporal bone defects were retrospectively identified. Comparative statistics were used to analyze variables between the two cohorts, specifically operative time, flap size, length of stay, regional recurrence, disease free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: No significant difference in demographic and disease related variables was observed. Operative time was significantly lower in SIF group with mean of 412.9 (SD 93.4) minutes compared to 544.1 (SD 139.9) minutes in free flap group. Flap size was significantly larger in free tissue transfer, 32.4 (SD 17.5) cm2 (SIF) compared to mean area of 105.2 (SD 53.2) cm2 (Free tissue transfer). A significant difference in length of stay was also noted between groups. There was no regional recurrence of disease in level I-III in SIF group. There was no significant difference in DFS or OS between the two groups. CONCLUSION: SIF is an oncologically sound option for reconstruction of lateral facial soft tissue, parotidectomy, and temporal bone defects.

Virtual Tumor Board to Foster Interinstitutional Head and Neck Cancer Subspecialty Care.

This cross-sectional study evaluates the concordance on treatment and diagnostic recommendations between clinicians at 2 collaborating health systems.

Neuropsychological performance, postural stability, and symptoms after dehydration.

CONTEXT: Dehydration and concussion are common in athletic performance. Some experts have speculated that dehydration may negatively influence performance on tests commonly used for concussion assessment. OBJECTIVE: To determine how the signs and symptoms, neuropsychological performance, and postural stability are affected by dehydration. DESIGN: Repeated-measures design assessing subjects in the euhydrated and dehydrated conditions. SETTING: Sports Medicine Research Laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four healthy, male recreational athletes participated in the study. INTERVENTION(S): Subjects participated in 2 counterbalanced sessions (euhydrated and dehydrated) separated by at least 7 days. Subjects were dehydrated using fluid restriction and an exercise task. No direct intervention was provided for the euhydrated condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We used the Standardized Assessment of Concussion to test mental status, the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) to evaluate neuropsychological performance, the NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test and Balance Error Scoring System to test postural stability, the Graded Symptom Checklist to assess symptom presence and severity in our participants, and urine specific gravity and body mass to determine hydration status. RESULTS: No differences were noted for the Standardized Assessment of Concussion, total Balance Error Scoring System errors, composite Sensory Organization Test, and composite ANAM scores between conditions. Subjects in the dehydrated condition had significant deterioration in visual memory (t(23) = 2.130, P < .001) and fatigue measures (t(23) = -7.880, P < .001) as assessed by ANAM. The dehydrated condition resulted in subjects reporting a significantly higher number (t(23) = -8.585, P < .001) and severity (t(23) = -7.673, P < .001) of symptoms than the euhydrated subjects on the Graded Symptom Checklist. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that moderate dehydration (-2.5 +/- 0.63%) significantly influenced the self-report of symptoms commonly associated with concussion. Dehydration resulted in a deterioration of visual memory and increases in the self-report of fatigue. Despite these findings, dehydration did not affect other neuropsychological and postural stability objective testing measures for concussion.