Randomized phase-III-trial of concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer comparing dose reduced radiotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin to standard radiotherapy with fluorouracil/cisplatin: The PacCis-trial

Rethinking treatment paradigms: Neoadjuvant therapy and de-escalation strategies in HPV-positive head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the 6th most common cancer across the world, with a particular increase in HNC associated with human papilloma virus (HPV) among younger populations. Historically, the standard treatment for this disease consisted of combined surgery and radiotherapy or curative platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy, with associated long term and late toxicities. However, HPV-positive HNC is recognized as a unique cancer subtype, typically with improved clinical outcomes. As such, treatment de-escalation strategies have been widely researched to mitigate the adverse effects associated with the current standard of care without compromising efficacy. These strategies include treatment de-escalation, such as novel surgical techniques, alternative radiation technologies, radiation dose and volume reduction, as well as neoadjuvant chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and combined therapies. Although these therapies show great promise, many of them are still under investigation due to hesitation surrounding their widespread implementation. The objective of this review is to summarize the most recent progress in de-escalation strategies and neoadjuvant therapies designed for HPV-positive HNC. While specific treatments may require additional research before being widely adopted, encouraging results from recent studies have highlighted the advantages of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as radiation and surgical de-escalation approaches in managing HPV-positive HNC.

Machine Learning-assisted immunophenotyping of peripheral blood identifies innate immune cells as best predictor of response to induction chemo-immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma - knowledge obtained from the CheckRad-CD8 trial

PURPOSE

Individual prediction of treatment response is crucial for personalized treatment in multimodal approaches against head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). So far, no reliable predictive parameters for treatment schemes containing immunotherapy have been identified. This study aims to predict treatment response to induction chemo-immunotherapy based on the peripheral blood immune status in patients with locally advanced HNSCC.

METHODS

The peripheral blood immune phenotype was assessed in whole blood samples in patients treated in the phase II CheckRad-CD8 trial as part of the pre-planned translational research program. Blood samples were analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry before (T1) and after (T2) induction chemo-immunotherapy with cisplatin/docetaxel/durvalumab/tremelimumab. Machine Learning techniques were used to predict pathological complete response (pCR) after induction therapy.

RESULTS

The tested classifier methods (LDA, SVM, LR, RF, DT, and XGBoost) allowed a distinct prediction of pCR. Highest accuracy was achieved with a low number of features represented as principal components. Immune parameters obtained from the absolute difference (lT2-T1l) allowed the best prediction of pCR. In general, less than 30 parameters and at most 10 principal components were needed for highly accurate predictions. Across several datasets, cells of the innate immune system such as polymorphonuclear cells, monocytes, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells are most prominent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses imply that alterations of the innate immune cell distribution in the peripheral blood following induction chemo-immuno-therapy is highly predictive for pCR in HNSCC.

A systematic literature review of the human papillomavirus prevalence in locally and regionally advanced and recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers through the last decade: The "ALARM" study

AIMS

The aim of this systematic literature review was to provide updated information on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in locally and regionally advanced (LA) and recurrent/metastatic (RM) head and neck cancer (HNC) worldwide.

METHODS

Electronic searches were conducted on clinicaltrials.gov, MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and ASCO/ESMO journals of congresses for interventional studies (IS; Phase I-III trials) as well as MEDLINE and Embase for non-interventional studies (NIS) of LA/RM HNC published between January 01, 2010 and December 31, 2020. Criteria for study selection included: availability of HPV prevalence data for LA/RM HNC patients, patient enrollment from January 01, 2010 onward, and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) included among HNC types. HPV prevalence per study was calculated as proportion of HPV+ over total number of enrolled patients. For overall HPV prevalence across studies, mean of reported HPV prevalence rates across studies and pooled estimate (sum of all HPV+ patients over sum of all patients enrolled) were assessed.

RESULTS

Eighty-one studies (62 IS; 19 NIS) were included, representing 9607 LA/RM HNC cases, with an overall mean (pooled) HPV prevalence of 32.6% (25.1%). HPV prevalence was 44.7% (44.0%) in LA and 24.3% (18.6%) in RM. Among 2714 LA/RM OPC patients from 52 studies with available data, mean (pooled) value was 55.8% (50.7%). The majority of data were derived from Northern America and Europe, with overall HPV prevalence of 46.0% (42.1%) and 24.7% (25.3%) across studies conducted exclusively in these geographic regions, respectively (Northern Europe: 31.9% [63.1%]). A "p16-based" assay was the most frequently reported HPV detection methodology (58.0%).

CONCLUSION

Over the last decade, at least one quarter of LA/RM HNC and half of OPC cases studied in IS and NIS were HPV+. This alarming burden is consistent with a potential implication of HPV in the pathogenesis of at least a subgroup of HNC, underscoring the relevance of HPV testing and prophylaxis to HNC prevention and management.

Expression of 3q Oncogene SEC62 Predicts Survival in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Primary Chemoradiation

Primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is an established treatment option for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) usually combining intensity modified radiotherapy with concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy. Though the majority of patients can be cured with this regimen, treatment response is highly heterogeneous and can hardly be predicted. SEC62 represents a metastasis stimulating oncogene that is frequently overexpressed in various cancer entities and is associated with poor outcome. Its role in HNSCC patients undergoing CRT has not been investigated so far. A total of 127 HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT were included in this study. The median follow-up was 5.4 years. Pretherapeutic tissue samples of the primary tumors were used for immunohistochemistry targeting SEC62. SEC62 expression, clinical and histopathological parameters, as well as patient outcome, were correlated in univariate and multivariate survival analyses. High SEC62 expression correlated with a significantly shorter overall survival (p = 0.015) and advanced lymph node metastases (p = 0.024). Further significant predictors of poor overall and progression-free survival included response to therapy (RECIST1.1), nodal status, distant metastases, tobacco consumption, recurrence of disease, and UICC stage. In a multivariate Cox hazard proportional regression analysis, only SEC62 expression (p = 0.046) and response to therapy (p < 0.0001) maintained statistical significance as independent predictors of the patients' overall survival. This study identified SEC62 as an independent prognostic biomarker in HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT. The role of SEC62 as a potential therapeutic target and its interaction with radiation-induced molecular alterations in head and neck cancer cells should further be investigated.

Differences in Functional and Survival Outcomes Between Patients Receiving Primary Surgery vs Chemoradiation Therapy for Treatment of T1-T2 Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Importance

Due to lack of data from high-powered randomized clinical trials, the differences in functional and survival outcomes for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) undergoing primary transoral robotic surgery (TORS) vs primary radiation therapy and/or chemoradiation therapy (RT/CRT) are unclear.

Objectives

To compare 5-year functional (dysphagia, tracheostomy dependence, and gastrostomy tube dependence) and survivorship outcomes in patients with T1-T2 OPSCC receiving primary TORS vs RT/CRT.

Design, Setting, and Population

This national multicenter cohort study used data from a global health network (TriNetX) to identify differences in functional and survival outcomes among patients with OPSCC who underwent primary TORS or RT/CRT in 2002 to 2022. After propensity matching, 726 patients with OPSCC met inclusion criteria. In the TORS group, 363 (50%) patients had undergone primary surgery, and in the RT/CRT group, 363 (50%) patients had received primary RT/CRT. Data analyses were performed from December 2022 to January 2023 using the TriNetX platform.

Exposure

Primary surgery with TORS or primary treatment with radiation therapy and/or chemoradiation therapy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Propensity score matching was used to balance the 2 groups. Functional outcomes were measured at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and more than 5 years posttreatment and included dysphagia, gastrostomy tube dependence, and tracheostomy dependence according to standard medical codes. Five-year overall survivorship was compared between patients undergoing primary TORS vs RT/CRT.

Results

Propensity score matching allowed a study sample with 2 cohorts comprising statistically similar parameters with 363 (50%) patients in each. Patients in the TORS cohort had a mean (SD) age of 68.5 (9.9) vs 68.8 (9.7) years in RT/CRT cohort; 86% and 88% were White individuals, respectively; 79% of patients were men in both cohorts. Primary TORS was associated with clinically meaningful increased risk of dysphagia at 6 months (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.01-1.84) and 1 year posttreatment (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.22-2.39) compared with primary RT/CRT. Patients receiving surgery were less likely to be gastrostomy tube dependent at 6 months (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.21-1.00) and 5 years posttreatment (risk difference, -0.05; 95% CI, -0.07 to -0.02). Differences in overall rates of tracheostomy dependence (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.51-1.82) between groups were not clinically meaningful. Patients with OPSCC, unmatched for cancer stage or human papillomavirus status, who received RT/CRT had worse 5-year overall survival than those who underwent primary surgery (70.2% vs 58.4%; hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.40-0.79).

Conclusions and Relevance

This national multicenter cohort study of patients undergoing primary TORS vs primary RT/CRT for T1-T2 OPSCC found that primary TORS was associated with a clinically meaningful increased risk of short-term dysphagia. Patients treated with primary RT/CRT had an increased risk of short- and long-term gastrostomy tube dependence and worse 5-year overall survival than those who underwent surgery.

Nivolumab and ipilimumab in combination with radiotherapy in patients with high-risk locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND

The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab has been approved for the treatment of multiple solid tumors. This was a phase I study investigating definitive radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with nivolumab and ipilimumab for the treatment of locally advanced (LA) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed, stage IVA-IVB SCCHN eligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy received nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks for a total of 17 doses) and ipilimumab (1 mg/kg every 6 weeks for a total of 6 doses) starting 2 weeks prior to radiotherapy. The primary endpoint was safety of definitive RIT. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Exploratory endpoints included the association of baseline programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression as well as on-treatment changes in immune bias with treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were enrolled. With a median follow-up of 36.1 months, grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events were reported in 21 individuals (88%); 5 individuals developed in-field soft tissue ulceration during consolidation immunotherapy, resulting in one fatality. The 3-year PFS and OS rates were 74% (95% CI 58% to 94%) and 96% (95% CI 88% to 100%), respectively. PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) did not correlate with death or disease progression. Decreases in extracellular vesicle PD-L1 within the concurrent RIT phase were associated with prolonged PFS (p=0.006). Also, interval decreases in circulating interleukin (IL)4, IL9, IL12, and IL17a during concurrent RIT were associated with subsequent ulceration.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive RIT with nivolumab and ipilimumab has sufficient clinical activity to support further development. Early changes in circulating biomarkers appear able to predict treatment outcomes as well as ensuing in-field soft tissue ulceration.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03162731.

Current Treatment Strategies and Risk Stratification for Oral Carcinoma

Management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) involves a multidisciplinary team approach. Surgery is ideally the primary treatment option for nonmetastatic OSCC, and less invasive curative surgical approaches are preferred in early-stage disease to minimize surgical-related morbidity. For patients at high risk of recurrence, adjuvant treatment using radiation therapy or chemoradiation is often used. Systemic therapy may also be used in the neoadjuvant setting (for advanced-stage disease with the intent of mandibular preservation) or in the palliative setting (for nonsalvageable locoregional recurrence and/or distant metastases). Patient involvement in treatment decision is the key for patient-driven management, particularly in clinical situation with poor prognosis, for example, early postoperative recurrence before planned adjuvant therapy.

Dose-escalated re-irradiation improves outcome in locally recurrent head and neck cancer - Results of a large multicenter analysis

To determine efficacy and prognostic parameters of definitive re-irradiation of locoregionally recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with locoregionally recurrent or second primary HNSCC undergoing re-irradiation with modern radiotherapy technique were eligible for this multicentric retrospective analysis. Main endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and locoregional control (LC). Univariate analyses were performed using the Kaplan Meier Method (log-rank). For multivariable analysis, Cox regression was used.

RESULTS

A total of 253 patients treated between 2009 and 2020 at 16 university hospitals in Germany were included. The median follow up was 27.4 months (range 0.5-130). The median OS and PFS were 13.2 (CI: 10.7 - 15.7) months and 7.9 (CI: 6.7 - 9.1) months, respectively, corresponding to two-year OS and PFS rates of 29 % and 19 %. Rates of locoregional progression and "in-field-failure" were 62 % and 51 % after two years. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified good ECOG performance status and high radiation dose as independent prognostic parameters for OS. Doses above 50 Gy (EQD2) achieved longer median OS of 17.8 months (vs 11.7 months, p < 0.01) and longer PFS of 9.6 months (vs 6.8 months, p < 0.01). In addition, there was a trend for worse survival in patients with tracheostomy (multivariable, p = 0.061). Concomitant systemic therapy did not significantly impact PFS or OS.

CONCLUSION

Re-irradiation of locally recurrent or second primary HNSCC is efficient, especially if doses above 50 Gy (EQD2) are delivered. ECOG performance score was the strongest prognostic parameter for OS and PFS.

Consensuses, controversies, and future directions in treatment deintensification for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer

The most common cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in the United States is oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), and its incidence has been rising since the turn of the century. Because of substantial long-term morbidities with chemoradiation and the favorable prognosis of HPV-positive OPC, identifying the optimal deintensification strategy for this group has been a keystone of academic head-and-neck surgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology for over the past decade. However, the first generation of randomized chemotherapy deintensification trials failed to change the standard of care, triggering concern over the feasibility of de-escalation. National database studies estimate that up to one third of patients receive nonstandard de-escalated treatments, which have subspecialty-specific nuances. A synthesis of the multidisciplinary deintensification data and current treatment standards is important for the oncology community to reinforce best practices and ensure optimal patient outcomes. In this review, the authors present a summary and comparison of prospective HPV-positive OPC de-escalation trials. Chemotherapy attenuation compromises outcomes without reducing toxicity. Limited data comparing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) with radiation raise concern over toxicity and outcomes with TORS. There are promising data to support de-escalating adjuvant therapy after TORS, but consensus on treatment indications is needed. Encouraging radiation deintensification strategies have been reported (upfront dose reduction and induction chemotherapy-based patient selection), but level I evidence is years away. Ultimately, stage and HPV status may be insufficient to guide de-escalation. The future of deintensification may lie in incorporating intratreatment response assessments to harness the powers of personalized medicine and integrate real-time surveillance.

Comparison of different treatments for HPV+ oropharyngeal carcinoma: a network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is rapidly evolving. Despite either surgery or radiotherapy (RT), with or without chemotherapy (CT), being acceptable in intermediate and locally advanced diseases, there is uncertainty regarding the best treatment option for these patients. Therefore, we performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the relative efficacy of different treatments for HPV+ oropharyngeal carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Randomized clinical trials that enrolled adults with non-metastatic HPV+ oropharynx cancer and provided data about overall survival (OS) and/or progression-free survival (PFS) and/or locoregional control and distant metastases (LRC and DM) were included. Fixed- or random-effects models were fit using a Bayesian approach to NMA. Between-group comparisons were estimated using hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs). The primary outcome was OS.

RESULTS

A total of 844 citations were screened; 11 randomized clinical trials were included (HPV+ stage III-IV cancer, mainly oropharynx carcinomas). Nine treatment arms were compared. Radiotherapy (altered or standard fractionation) + triweekly cisplatin (HR 3.8; 95% CrIs 0.29-65 and 0.3; 95% CrIs 0.03-2.51) was superior to RT in term of OS (P score = 0.42 and 0.16). Radiotherapy with low and high cisplatin doses appeared similar (HR 1.57; 95% CrIs 0.19-12.72). Altered fractionation or standard RT + 3-weekly cisplatin are the 2 highest-ranked options in terms of PFS (P score = 0.35 and 0.34).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis confirms the role of cisplatin added to RT as the best option for HPV+ oropharyngeal carcinoma. RT+ 3-weekly cisplatin is likely to be the best radical treatment in terms of OS and PFS.

Correlation Between Early Time-to-Event Outcomes and Overall Survival in Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Definitive Chemoradiation Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Overall survival (OS) is the most patient-relevant outcome in oncology; however, in early cancers, large sample sizes and extended follow-up durations are needed to detect statistically significant differences in OS between interventions. Use of early time-to-event outcomes as surrogates for OS can help facilitate faster approval of cancer therapies. In locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC), event-free survival (EFS) was previously evaluated as a surrogate outcome (Michiels 2009) and demonstrated a strong correlation with OS. The current study aimed to further assess the correlation between EFS and OS in LA-HNSCC using an updated systematic literature review (SLR) focusing on patients receiving definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT).

Methods

An SLR was conducted on May 27, 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials assessing radiotherapy alone or CRT in the target population. Studies assessing CRT and reporting hazard ratios (HRs) or Kaplan-Meier data for OS and EFS were eligible for the analysis. CRT included any systemic treatments administered concurrently or sequentially with radiation therapy. Trial-level EFS/OS correlations were assessed using regression models, and the relationship strength was measured with Pearson correlation coefficient (R). Correlations were assessed across all CRT trials and in trial subsets assessing concurrent CRT, sequential CRT, RT+cisplatin, targeted therapies and intensity-modulated RT. Subgroup analysis was conducted among trials with similar EFS definitions (i.e. EFS including disease progression and/or death as events) and longer length of follow-up (i.e.≥ 5 years).

Results

The SLR identified 149 trials of which 31 were included in the analysis. A strong correlation between EFS and OS was observed in the overall analysis of all CRT trials (R=0.85, 95% confidence interval: 0.72-0.93). Similar results were obtained in the sensitivity analyses of trials assessing concurrent CRT (R=0.88), sequential CRT (R=0.83), RT+cisplatin (R=0.82), targeted therapies (R=0.83) and intensity-modulated RT (R=0.86), as well as in trials with similar EFS definitions (R=0.87), with longer follow-up (R=0.81).

Conclusion

EFS was strongly correlated with OS in this trial-level analysis. Future research using individual patient-level data can further investigate if EFS could be considered a suitable early clinical endpoint for evaluation of CRT regimens in LA-HNSCC patients receiving definitive CRT.

F18-FDG PET/CT imaging early predicts pathologic complete response to induction chemoimmunotherapy of locally advanced head and neck cancer: preliminary single-center analysis of the checkrad-cd8 trial

Aim

In the CheckRad-CD8 trial patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer are treated with a single cycle of induction chemo-immunotherapy (ICIT). Patients with pathological complete response (pCR) in the re-biopsy enter radioimmunotherapy. Our goal was to study the value of F-18-FDG PET/CT in the prediction of pCR after induction therapy.

Methods

Patients treated within the CheckRad-CD8 trial that additionally received FDG- PET/CT imaging at the following two time points were included: 3–14 days before (pre-ICIT) and 21–28 days after (post-ICIT) receiving ICIT. Tracer uptake in primary tumors (PT) and suspicious cervical lymph nodes (LN +) was measured using different quantitative parameters on EANM Research Ltd (EARL) accredited PET reconstructions. In addition, mean FDG uptake levels in lymphatic and hematopoietic organs were examined. Percent decrease (Δ) in FDG uptake was calculated for all parameters. Biopsy of the PT post-ICIT acquired after FDG-PET/CT served as reference. The cohort was divided in patients with pCR and residual tumor (ReTu).

Results

Thirty-one patients were included. In ROC analysis, ΔSUVmax PT performed best (AUC = 0.89) in predicting pCR (n = 17), with a decline of at least 60% (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.93). Residual SUVmax PT post-ICIT performed best in predicting ReTu (n = 14), at a cutpoint of 6.0 (AUC = 0.91; sensitivity, 0.86; specificity, 0.88). Combining two quantitative parameters (ΔSUVmax ≥ 50% and SUVmax PT post-ICIT ≤ 6.0) conferred a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.93 for determining pCR. Background activity in lymphatic organs or uptake in suspected cervical lymph node metastases lacked significant predictive value.

Conclusion

FDG-PET/CT can identify patients with pCR after ICIT via residual FDG uptake levels in primary tumors and the related changes compared to baseline. FDG-uptake in LN + had no predictive value.

Trial registry

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03426657.

Treatment de-escalation for HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) carries a better prognosis compared with HPV-counterparts, thereby pushing the adoption of de-intensification treatment approaches as new strategies to preserve superior oncologic outcomes while minimizing toxicity. We evaluated the effect of treatment de-intensification in terms of overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional and distant control (LRC and DM) by selecting prospective or retrospective studies, providing outcome data with reduced intensification versus standard curative treatment in HPV+ OPC patients, with a systematic analysis till September 2020. The primary outcome of interest was OS. Secondary endpoints were PFS, LRC, and DM expressed as HR. A total of 55 studies (from 1393 screened references) were employed for quantitative synthesis for 38 929 patients. Among n = 48 studies with data available, de-intensified treatments reduced OS in HPV+ OPCs (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.17-1.52; p < 0.01). In de-escalated treatments, PFS was also decreased (HR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.65-2.69; p < 0.01). Compared with standard treatments, reduced intensity approaches were associated with reduced locoregional and distant disease control (HR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.75-3.59; p < 0.01; and HR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.25-2.9; p < 0.01). Chemoradiation improved survival in a definitive curative setting compared with radiotherapy alone (HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.16-1.75; p < 0.01). When adjuvant treatments were compared, standard and de-escalation strategies provided similar OS. In conclusion, in patients with HPV+ OPC, de-escalation treatments should not be widely and agnostically adopted in clinical practice, as therein lies a concrete risk of offering a sub-optimal treatment to patients.

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Oral Cavity Cancer: Predictive Factors for Response and Interim Analysis of the Prospective INVERT-Trial

Background

To study neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and potential predictive factors for response in locally advanced oral cavity cancer (LA-OCC).

Methods

The INVERT trial is an ongoing single-center, prospective phase 2, proof-of-principle trial. Operable patients with stage III-IVA squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity were eligible and received nCRT consisting of 60 Gy with concomitant cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Surgery was scheduled 6-8 weeks after completion of nCRT. Explorative, multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on pretreatment tumor specimen, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) was conducted prior to, during nCRT (day 15), and before surgery to identify potential predictive biomarkers and imaging features. Primary endpoint was the pathological complete response (pCR) rate.

Results

Seventeen patients with stage IVA OCC were included in this interim analysis. All patients completed nCRT. One patient died from pneumonia 10 weeks after nCRT before surgery. Complete tumor resection (R0) was achieved in 16/17 patients, of whom 7 (41%, 95% CI: 18-67%) showed pCR. According to the Clavien-Dindo classification, grade 3a and 3b complications were found in 4 (25%) and 5 (31%) patients, respectively; grade 4-5 complications did not occur. Increased changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient signal intensities between MRI at day 15 of nCRT and before surgery were associated with better response (p=0.022). Higher abundances of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) positive cytotoxic T-cells (p=0.012), PD1+ macrophages (p=0.046), and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs, p=0.036) were associated with incomplete response to nCRT.

Conclusion

nCRT for LA-OCC followed by radical surgery is feasible and shows high response rates. Larger patient cohorts from randomized trials are needed to further investigate nCRT and predictive biomarkers such as changes in DW-MRI signal intensities, tumor infiltrating immune cells, and CAFs.

Induction chemoimmunotherapy followed by CD8+ immune cell-based patient selection for chemotherapy-free radioimmunotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer

PURPOSE

The first aim of the trial is to study feasibility of combined programmed death protein ligand 1/cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibition concomitant to radiotherapy. In addition, efficacy of the entire treatment scheme consisting of induction chemoimmunotherapy followed by chemotherapy-free radioimmunotherapy (RIT) after intratumoral CD8 +immune cell-based patient selection will be analyzed.

METHODS

Patients with stage III-IVB head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were eligible for this multicenter phase II trial. Treatment consisted of a single cycle of cisplatin 30 mg/m² days 1-3, docetaxel 75 mg/m² day 1, durvalumab 1500 mg fix dose day 5 and tremelimumab 75 mg fix dose day 5. Patients with increased intratumoral CD8 +immune cell density or pathological complete response (pCR) in the rebiopsy entered RIT up to a total dose of 70 Gy. Patients received further three cycles of durvalumab/tremelimumab followed by eight cycles of durvalumab mono (every 4 weeks). The intended treatment for patients not meeting these criteria was standard radiochemotherapy outside the trial. Primary endpoint was a feasibility rate of patients entering RIT to receive treatment until at least cycle 6 of immunotherapy of ≥80%.

RESULTS

Between September 2018 and May 2020, 80 patients were enrolled (one excluded). Out of these, 23 patients had human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer. Median follow-up was 17.2 months. After induction chemoimmunotherapy 41 patients had pCR and 31 had increased intratumoral CD8 +immune cells. Of 60 patients entering RIT (primary endpoint cohort), 10 experienced imiting toxic (mainly hepatitis) and four discontinued for other reasons, resulting in a feasibility rate of 82%. The RIT cohort (n=60) had a progression-free survival (PFS) rate at one and 2 years of 78% and 72%, respectively, and an overall survival rate at one and 2 years of 90% and 84%, respectively. Patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers had greater benefit from RIT with a 2-year PFS rate of 94% compared with 64% for HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancers and other locations. In the entire study cohort (n=79) the 2-year PFS rate was 68% (91% for HPV-positive oropharynx vs 59% for others). Toxicity grade 3-4 mainly consisted of dysphagia (53%), leukopenia (52%) and infections (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

The trial met the primary endpoint feasibility of RIT. Induction chemo-immunotherapy followed by chemotherapy-free RIT after intratumoral CD8 +immune cell-based patient selection has promising PFS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03426657). The trial was conducted as investigator-sponsored trial (IST).

Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers are the most common cancers arising in the head and neck. Treatment of oral cavity cancer is generally surgery followed by radiotherapy, whereas oropharyngeal cancers, which are more likely to be advanced at the time of diagnosis, are managed with radiotherapy or chemoradiation. Surgery for oral cancers can be disfiguring and both surgery and radiotherapy have significant functional side effects. The development of new chemotherapy agents, new combinations of agents and changes in the relative timing of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy treatments may potentially bring about increases in both survival and quality of life for this group of patients. This review updates one last published in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether chemotherapy, in addition to radiotherapy and/or surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma results in improved overall survival, improved disease-free survival and/or improved locoregional control, when incorporated as either induction therapy given prior to locoregional treatment (i.e. radiotherapy or surgery), concurrent with radiotherapy or in the adjuvant (i.e. after locoregional treatment with radiotherapy or surgery) setting.

SEARCH METHODS

An information specialist searched 4 bibliographic databases up to 15 September 2021 and used additional search methods to identify published, unpublished and ongoing studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) where more than 50% of participants had primary tumours in the oral cavity or oropharynx, and that evaluated the addition of chemotherapy to other treatments such as radiotherapy and/or surgery, or compared two or more chemotherapy regimens or modes of administration.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

For this update, we assessed the new included trials for their risk of bias and at least two authors extracted data from them. Our primary outcome was overall survival (time to death from any cause). Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival (time to disease recurrence or death from any cause) and locoregional control (response to primary treatment). We contacted trial authors for additional information or clarification when necessary.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 100 studies with 18,813 participants. None of the included trials were at low risk of bias.  For induction chemotherapy, we reported the results for contemporary regimens that will be of interest to clinicians and people being treated for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Overall, there is insufficient evidence to clearly demonstrate a survival benefit from induction chemotherapy with platinum plus 5-fluorouracil prior to radiotherapy (hazard ratio (HR) for death 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70 to 1.04, P = 0.11; 7427 participants, 5 studies; moderate-certainty evidence), prior to surgery (HR for death 1.06, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.60, P = 0.77; 198 participants, 1 study; low-certainty evidence) or prior to concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) with cisplatin (HR for death 0.71, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.35, P = 0.30; 389 participants, 2 studies; low-certainty evidence). There is insufficient evidence to support the use of an induction chemotherapy regimen with cisplatin plus 5-fluorouracil plus docetaxel prior to CRT with cisplatin (HR for death 1.08, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.44, P = 0.63; 760 participants, 3 studies; low-certainty evidence).  There is insufficient evidence to support the use of adjuvant chemotherapy over observation only following surgery (HR for death 0.95, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.22, P = 0.67; 353 participants, 5 studies; moderate-certainty evidence). Among studies that compared post-surgical adjuvant CRT, as compared to post-surgical RT, adjuvant CRT showed a survival benefit (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.98, P = 0.03; 1097 participants, 4 studies; moderate-certainty evidence). Primary treatment with CRT, as compared to radiotherapy alone,  was associated with a reduction in the risk of death (HR for death 0.74, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.83, P < 0.00001; 2852 participants, 24 studies; moderate-certainty evidence).  AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review demonstrate that chemotherapy in the curative-intent treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers only seems to be of benefit when used in specific circumstances together with locoregional treatment. The  evidence does not show a clear survival benefit from the use of induction chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy, surgery or CRT. Adjuvant CRT reduces the risk of death by 16%, as compared to radiotherapy alone. Concurrent chemoradiation as compared to radiation alone is associated with a greater than 20% improvement in overall survival; however, additional research is required to inform how the specific chemotherapy regimen may influence this benefit.

Reduction of Elective Radiotherapy Treatment Volume in Definitive Treatment of Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer-Comparison of a Prospective Trial with a Revised Simulated Contouring Approach

Definitive radiochemotherapy of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) achieves high locoregional tumor control rates; but is frequently associated with long-term toxicity. A future direction could be a de-escalation strategy focusing on treated volume rather than radiotherapy dose. This analysis evaluates radiotherapy dose and volume parameters of patients treated with a standard contouring approach in a clinical trial context compared with a revised volume-reduced contouring approach. In this case, 30 consecutive patients from the CheckRad-CD8 trial treated at a single study center were included in this analysis. Treatment toxicity and quality of life were assessed at the end of radiotherapy. Standard treatment plans (ST) following state of the art contouring guidelines that were used for patient treatment and volume reduced treatment plans (VRT) according to a revised simulated approach were calculated for each patient. Planning target volumes (PTV) and mean doses to 38 organs-at-risk structures were compared. At the end of radiotherapy patients reported high rates of mucositis; dysphagia and xerostomia. In addition; patient reported quality of life as assessed by the EORTC QLQ-HN35 questionnaire deteriorated. Comparing the two contouring approaches; the elective PTV_56 Gy and the high risk PTV_63 Gy (shrinking field) were significantly smaller in the VRT group. Significant reduction of mean dose to structures of the oral cavity; the larynx as well as part of the swallowing muscles and the submandibular glands was achieved in the simulated VRT-plan. Treatment de-intensification by reduction of the irradiated volume could potentially reduce treatment volume and mean doses to organs at risk. The proposed contouring approach should be studied further in the context of a clinical trial.

Hypofractionated Radiotherapy Upregulates Several Immune Checkpoint Molecules in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells Independently of the HPV Status While ICOS-L Is Upregulated Only on HPV-Positive Cells

While the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) with radiotherapy (RT) is complemented more and more by immunotherapy in clinical trials, little is known about the impact of the human papillomavirus (HPV) status or the applied RT scheme on the immune phenotype of the tumor cells. Therefore, we aimed to examine the impact of the HPV status of four human HNSCC cell lines on cell death and the expression of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) after RT with either hypofractionation irradiation (5x3.0Gy) or a high single dose (1x19.3Gy) via multicolor flow cytometry and quantitative PCR at an early time point after therapy. In our study, 5x3.0Gy RT induced high numbers of early and late apoptotic cells independent of the HPV status, but necrosis was only increased in the HPV-positive UM-Scc-47 cells. Generally, the immune stimulatory ICMs (CD70, CD137-L, ICOS-L) were less affected by RT compared to the immune suppressive ones (PD-L1, PD-L2, and the herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM)). A significant higher surface expression of the analyzed ICMs was found after hypofractionated RT compared to a single high dose; however, regardless of the HPV status, with the exception of ICOS-L. Here, HPV-positive HNSCC tumor cells showed a stronger response to 5x3.0Gy than HPV-negative ones. On the RNA level, only minor alterations of ICMs were observed following RT, with the exception of the HPV negative cell line CAL33 treated with 5x3.0Gy, where PD-L2, HVEM and CD70 were significantly increased. We conclude that the HPV status may not distinctly predict immunological responses following RT, and thus cannot be used as a single predictive marker for therapy responses in HNSCC. In contrast, the patient-specific individual expression of ICMs following RT is preferable for the targeted patient selection for immune therapy directed against distinct ICM.

A Prospective Real-World Multi-Center Study to Evaluate Progression-Free and Overall Survival of Radiotherapy with Cetuximab and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy with Cetuximab in Locally Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

Simple Summary

Despite recent developments in immune checkpoint inhibitors, the treatment of locoregionally recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) remains challenging. Prospective data comparing re-irradiation with systemic treatment are not available. The SOCCER trial represents a prospective non-interventional multicenter trial that enrolled patients with locoregionally recurrent HNSCC treated with cetuximab in combination with re-radiotherapy or chemotherapy. A total of 192 patients were analyzed. Radiotherapy combined with cetuximab had superior progression-free and overall survival compared to chemotherapy with cetuximab. This highlights the high efficacy of local re-radiotherapy in combination with cetuximab in patients with locoregionally recurrent HNSCC.

Abstract

Treatment options of locoregional recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) include both local strategies as surgery or re-radiotherapy and systemic therapy. In this prospective, multi-center, non-interventional study, patients were treated either with platinum-based chemotherapy and cetuximab (CT + Cet) or re-radiotherapy and cetuximab (RT + Cet). In the current analysis, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared in patients with locoregional recurrence. Four hundred seventy patients were registered in 97 German centers. After exclusion of patients with distant metastases, a cohort of 192 patients was analyzed (129 CT + Cet, 63 RT + Cet). Radiotherapy was delivered as re-irradiation to 70% of the patients. The mean radiation dose was 51.8 Gy, whereas a radiation dose of ≥60 Gy was delivered in 33% of the patients. Chemotherapy mainly consisted of cisplatin/5-flurouracil (40%) or carboplatin/5-flurouracil (29%). The median PFS was 9.2 months in the RT + Cet group versus 5.1 months in the CT + Cet group (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.40, 95% CI, 0.27–0.57, p < 0.0001). Median OS was 12.8 months in the RT + Cet group versus 7.9 months in the CT + Cet group (hazard ratio for death, 0.50, 95% CI, 0.33–0.75, p = 0.0008). In conclusion, radiotherapy combined with cetuximab improved survival compared to chemotherapy combined with cetuximab in locally recurrent HNSCC.

Kinase Inhibitors of DNA-PK, ATM and ATR in Combination with Ionizing Radiation Can Increase Tumor Cell Death in HNSCC Cells While Sparing Normal Tissue Cells

(1) Kinase inhibitors (KI) targeting components of the DNA damage repair pathway are a promising new type of drug. Combining them with ionizing radiation therapy (IR), which is commonly used for treatment of head and neck tumors, could improve tumor control, but could also increase negative side effects on surrounding normal tissue. (2) The effect of KI of the DDR (ATMi: AZD0156; ATRi: VE-822, dual DNA-PKi/mTORi: CC-115) in combination with IR on HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC and healthy skin cells was analyzed. Cell death and cell cycle arrest were determined using flow cytometry. Additionally, clonogenic survival and migration were analyzed. (3) Studied HNSCC cell lines reacted differently to DDRi. An increase in cell death for all of the malignant cells could be observed when combining IR and KI. Healthy fibroblasts were not affected by simultaneous treatment. Migration was partially impaired. Influence on the cell cycle varied between the cell lines and inhibitors; (4) In conclusion, a combination of DDRi with IR could be feasible for patients with HNSCC. Side effects on healthy cells are expected to be limited to normal radiation-induced response. Formation of metastases could be decreased because cell migration is impaired partially. The treatment outcome for HPV-negative tumors tends to be improved by combined treatment.

De-Escalation Strategies of (Chemo)Radiation for Head-and-Neck Squamous Cell Cancers-HPV and Beyond

Oncological outcomes for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients are still unsatisfactory, especially for advanced tumor stages. Besides the moderate survival rates, the prevalence of severe treatment-induced normal tissue toxicities is high after multimodal cancer treatments, both causing significant morbidity and decreasing quality of life of surviving patients. Therefore, risk-adapted and individualized treatment approaches are urgently needed for HNSCC patients to optimize the therapeutic gain. It has been a well-known fact that especially HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients exhibit an excellent prognosis and may therefore be subject to overtreatment, resulting in long-term treatment-related toxicities. Regarding the superior prognosis of HPV-positive OSCC patients, treatment de-escalation strategies are currently investigated in several clinical trials, and HPV-positive OSCC may potentially serve as a model for treatment de-escalation also for other types of HNSCC. We performed a literature search for both published and ongoing clinical trials and critically discussed the presented concepts and results. Radiotherapy dose or volume reduction, omission or modification of concomitant chemotherapy, and usage of induction chemotherapy are common treatment de-escalation strategies that are pursued in clinical trials for biologically selected subgroups of HNSCC patients. While promising data have been reported from various Phase II trials, evidence from Phase III de-escalation trials is either lacking or has failed to demonstrate comparable outcomes for de-escalated treatments. Therefore, further data and a refinement of biological HNSCC stratification are required before deescalated radiation treatments can be recommended outside of clinical trials.

[The role of chemoradiotherapy in curative treatment of head and neck cancer]

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are integral parts of definitive and adjuvant therapy in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The outcome of therapy is essentially dependent on selection and dosage of chemotherapeutical substances and on the other hand on the radiotherapeutical setting concerning fractionation, time of therapy and technical aspects. Immunotherapeutical substances have an increasing role in the therapy of HNSCC as well as particle therapy is investigated as part of radiotherapy in actual studies. Further challenges relate to treatment of HPV-induced tumors with regard to their differences in tumor biology and consecutively better prognosis.

[De-escalation concepts for chemoradiotherapy of HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas: pros and cons]

BACKGROUND

In contrast to alcohol- and nicotine-induced head and neck tumors, human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma rather affects younger patients, and the incidence of this entity is continuously increasing. Due to the significantly better prognosis of HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma, various treatment de-escalation strategies are currently being investigated, with the aim of reducing toxicity without affecting the good survival rates of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the evidence for treatment de-escalation in HPV-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed and relevant studies are critically discussed.

RESULTS

De-escalation strategies for HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma using induction chemotherapy or radiation dose reduction have demonstrated good oncological results in phase II trials, with lower toxicity rates compared to historical controls. However, both of the first published phase III trials investigating de-escalation of concomitant chemotherapy regimens demonstrated inferior outcomes for the deescalated treatment strategies without improvements in treatment-associated toxicities. Additional phase-III trials investigating other de-escalation strategies have not yet been published.

CONCLUSION

Treatment de-escalation should be performed exclusively in prospective studies and can currently not be recommended in clinical routine.