Real-world data of immunotherapy from China in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a standard therapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/MHNSCC), however, there are still unanswered questions about immunotherapy. Furthermore, immunotherapy for R/MHNSCC of the mainland Chinese population are lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ICIs in real-world settings in China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 59 patients with R/MHNSCC who received immunotherapy between May 2019 and December 2021. We assessed demographics, efficacy, survival and safety. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included in the study, all of whom had R/MHNSCC affecting the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses and metastatic cancer in the neck with an unknown primary. The objective response rate (ORR) for all patients was found to be 40.6 %. Out of these patients, 11 patients achieved a complete response and 13 achieved a partial response. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was calculated to be 10.64 months (range 1.15-29.24 months), while the median overall survival (OS) was 21.75 months (range 2.0-37.55 months). The addition of local radiotherapy resulted in higher ORR and PFS compared to previous reports. Notably, patients with R/MHNSCC in the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity also showed benefits from immunotherapy. Additionally, patients who achieved stable disease (SD) had similar survival rates to those who achieved partial response (PR), indicating that SD is also an indicator of clinical benefit from immunotherapy. The overall incidence of immune-related adverse reactions in this study was low, with fatigue and rash being the most common side effects. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the effectiveness and safety of immunotherapy for R/MHNSCC in a real-world setting in China. Further investigation is warranted to explore the potential benefits of incorporating local radiotherapy into the treatment of R/MHNSCC.