When Is Telemedicine Appropriate in the Management of Head and Neck Cancer? A Mixed-Methods Assessment Among Patients and Physicians

PURPOSE

Evidence suggests that oncology patients are satisfied with and sometimes prefer telemedicine compared with in-person visits; however, data are scarce on when telemedicine is appropriate for specific cancer populations. In this study, we aim to identify factors that influence patient experience and appropriateness of telemedicine use among a head and neck cancer (HNC) population.

METHODS

We performed a mixed-methods study at a multisite cancer center. First, we surveyed patients with HNC and analyzed factors that may influence their telemedicine experience using multivariate regression. We then conducted focus groups among HNC oncologists (n = 15) to evaluate their perception on appropriate use of telemedicine.

RESULTS

From January to December 2020, we collected 1,071 completed surveys (response rate 24%), of which 551 first unique surveys were analyzed. About half of all patients (56%) reported telemedicine as "same or better" compared with in-person visits, whereas the other half (44%) reported "not as good or unsure." In multivariate analyses, patients with thyroid cancer were more likely to find telemedicine "same or better" (adjusted odds ratio, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.35 to 3.25]) compared with other HNC populations (mucosal/salivary HNC). Consistently, physician focus group noted that patients with thyroid cancer were particularly suited for telemedicine because of less emphasis on in-person examinations. Physicians also underscored factors that influence telemedicine use, including clinical suitability (treatment status, visit purpose, examination necessity), patient benefits (travel time, access), and barriers (technology, rapport-building).

CONCLUSION

Patient experience with telemedicine is diverse among the HNC population. Notably, patients with thyroid cancer had overall better experience and were identified to be more appropriate for telemedicine compared with other patients with HNC. Future research that optimizes patient experience and selection is needed to ensure successful integration of telemedicine into routine oncology practice.

Hypoxia-Directed Treatment of Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Standard curative-intent chemoradiotherapy for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal carcinoma results in significant toxicity. Since hypoxic tumors are radioresistant, we posited that the aerobic state of a tumor could identify patients eligible for de-escalation of chemoradiotherapy while maintaining treatment efficacy.

METHODS

We enrolled patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma to receive de-escalated definitive chemoradiotherapy in a phase II study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03323463). Patients first underwent surgical removal of disease at their primary site, but not of gross disease in the neck. A baseline 18F-fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography scan was used to measure tumor hypoxia and was repeated 1-2 weeks intratreatment. Patients with nonhypoxic tumors received 30 Gy (3 weeks) with chemotherapy, whereas those with hypoxic tumors received standard chemoradiotherapy to 70 Gy (7 weeks). The primary objective was achieving a 2-year locoregional control (LRC) of 95% with a 7% noninferiority margin.

RESULTS

One hundred fifty-eight patients with T0-2/N1-N2c were enrolled, of which 152 patients were eligible for analyses. Of these, 128 patients met criteria for 30 Gy and 24 patients received 70 Gy. The 2-year LRC was 94.7% (95% CI, 89.8 to 97.7), meeting our primary objective. With a median follow-up time of 38.3 (range, 22.1-58.4) months, the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 94% and 100%, respectively, for the 30-Gy cohort. The 70-Gy cohort had similar 2-year PFS and OS rates at 96% and 96%, respectively. Acute grade 3-4 adverse events were more common in 70 Gy versus 30 Gy (58.3% v 32%; P = .02). Late grade 3-4 adverse events only occurred in the 70-Gy cohort, in which 4.5% complained of late dysphagia.

CONCLUSION

Tumor hypoxia is a promising approach to direct dosing of curative-intent chemoradiotherapy for HPV-related carcinomas with preserved efficacy and substantially reduced toxicity that requires further investigation.

A phase 2 study of MK-2206 in patients with incurable adenoid cystic carcinoma (Alliance A091104)

BACKGROUND

Recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, incurable disease. MYB is a putative oncogenic driver in ACC that is often overexpressed through an MYB-NFIB rearrangement. The authors hypothesized that AKT inhibition with the allosteric inhibitor MK-2206 could decrease MYB expression and induce tumor regression in patients with incurable ACC (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01604772).

METHODS

Patients with progressive, incurable ACC were enrolled and received MK-2206 150 mg weekly; escalation to 200 mg was allowed. The primary end point was confirmed response. Secondary end points were progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. An exploratory analysis evaluating the effect of MK-2206 on MYB expression was conducted in a subset of patients.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients were enrolled, and 14 were evaluable for efficacy. No confirmed responses were observed. Thirteen patients had stable disease, and one had disease progression as their best response. The median progression-free survival was 9.7 months (95% CI, 3.8-11.8 months), and the median overall survival was 18.0 months (95% CI, 11.8-29.9 months). Nine of 16 patients (56%) had at least one grade 3 treatment-related adverse event, and the most common were rash (38%), fatigue (19%), decreased lymphocyte count (13%), and hyperglycemia (13%). Twelve of 14 tumors (86%) had detectable MYB expression by immunohistochemistry, and seven of 14 tumors (50%) had an MYB-NFIB gene rearrangement. Serial biopsies revealed decreased MYB levels with MK-2206 in four of five patients.

CONCLUSIONS

MK-2206 failed to induce clinical responses in patients with incurable ACC. AKT inhibition may diminish MYB protein levels, although the effect was highly variable among patients. Novel approaches to target MYB in ACC are needed.

International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors

BACKGROUND

Sinonasal neoplasms, whether benign and malignant, pose a significant challenge to clinicians and represent a model area for multidisciplinary collaboration in order to optimize patient care. The International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Sinonasal Tumors (ICSNT) aims to summarize the best available evidence and presents 48 thematic and histopathology-based topics spanning the field.

METHODS

In accordance with prior International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology documents, ICSNT assigned each topic as an Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations, Evidence-Based Review, and Literature Review based on the level of evidence. An international group of multidisciplinary author teams were assembled for the topic reviews using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses format, and completed sections underwent a thorough and iterative consensus-building process. The final document underwent rigorous synthesis and review prior to publication.

RESULTS

The ICSNT document consists of four major sections: general principles, benign neoplasms and lesions, malignant neoplasms, and quality of life and surveillance. It covers 48 conceptual and/or histopathology-based topics relevant to sinonasal neoplasms and masses. Topics with a high level of evidence provided specific recommendations, while other areas summarized the current state of evidence. A final section highlights research opportunities and future directions, contributing to advancing knowledge and community intervention.

CONCLUSION

As an embodiment of the multidisciplinary and collaborative model of care in sinonasal neoplasms and masses, ICSNT was designed as a comprehensive, international, and multidisciplinary collaborative endeavor. Its primary objective is to summarize the existing evidence in the field of sinonasal neoplasms and masses.

Nivolumab plus ipilimumab in advanced salivary gland cancer: a phase 2 trial

Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are rare, aggressive cancers without effective treatments when metastasized. We conducted a phase 2 trial evaluating nivolumab (nivo, anti-PD-1) and ipilimumab (ipi, anti-CTLA-4) in 64 patients with metastatic SGC enrolled in two histology-based cohorts (32 patients each): adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC; cohort 1) and other SGCs (cohort 2). The primary efficacy endpoint (≥4 objective responses) was met in cohort 2 (5/32, 16%) but not in cohort 1 (2/32, 6%). Treatment safety/tolerability and progression-free survival (PFS) were secondary endpoints. Treatment-related adverse events grade ≥3 occurred in 24 of 64 (38%) patients across both cohorts, and median PFS was 4.4 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.4, 8.3) and 2.2 months (95% CI: 1.8, 5.3) for cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. We present whole-exome, RNA and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing data from pre-treatment and on-treatment tumors and immune cell flow cytometry and TCR sequencing from peripheral blood at serial timepoints. Responding tumors universally demonstrated clonal expansion of pre-existing T cells and mutational contraction. Responding ACCs harbored neoantigens, including fusion-derived neoepitopes, that induced T cell responses ex vivo. This study shows that nivo+ipi has limited efficacy in ACC, albeit with infrequent, exceptional responses, and that it could be promising for non-ACC SGCs, particularly salivary duct carcinomas. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03172624 .

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.

Implementation Outcomes of Strategies to Promote Short-Course Radiation for Nonspine Bone Metastases in an Academic-Community Partnership: Survey Results from the ALIGNMENT Trial

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Local treatment of nonspine bone metastases has become increasingly complex, resulting in physician practice variability nationwide. The purpose of this study was to assess physician perceptions of 3 implementation strategies to promote adoption of short course radiotherapy (RT) for nonspine bone metastases.

MATERIALS/METHODS

ALIGNMENT ("Alliance Group for Bone Metastasis") was a multi-institutional stepped wedge cluster randomized implementation trial testing strategies to increase use of ≤5 fractions for nonspine bone metastases conducted across 3 clinical sites in an academic-community partnership. Strategies included a) multidisciplinary consensus guidelines, b) e-Consults, an email-based consultation platform, and c) personalized audit and feedback (A&F) reports with peer comparison. Using the Proctor et al. framework and validated questions from Weiner et al., physician surveys were used to assess each strategy's usefulness, acceptability (i.e., "I welcome [strategy]"), appropriateness (i.e., "[strategy] seems like a good match"), and feasibility (i.e., "[strategy] seems implementable" or "easy to use"). Survey responses were anonymized, so Fisher's Exact test was used to compare proportions with significance set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

Overall, 29 of 38 and 30 of 38 physicians participated in the pre- and post-implementation surveys, respectively, with 80% completing both. Pre-implementation, guidelines was most often ranked 1st in terms of usefulness (61%), followed by eConsults (38%) and A&F (3%). Post-implementation, guidelines and eConsults had the most and least favorable acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility scores, respectively (Table), with 77% of physicians being likely to recommend the guidelines to other oncologists. In contrast, while 43% of physicians reported having at least 1 difficult clinical question regarding bone metastases during the study, only 33% of physicians preferred eConsults, while 50% preferred reaching out to a friend/colleague. Lastly, although A&F had the lowest perceived usefulness pre-implementation, A&F had the greatest increase in acceptability (72%→90%; p = 0.10), appropriateness (66%→90%; p = 0.03) feasibility ("implementable": 59%→93%, p = 0.002; "easy to use": 45%→93%, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this multicenter trial, all strategies were acceptable, appropriate, and feasible, with guidelines and A&F showing the most favorable outcomes post-implementation. While guidelines were assessed as the most useful, A&F had significant increases in appropriateness and feasibility.

Long-term Outcomes of Bevacizumab and Chemoradiation for Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial

Importance

The long-term outcomes associated with adding bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, to standard chemoradiation have continued to be favorable for a group of patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Objective

To assess long-term toxic effects and clinical outcomes associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy (RT), and bevacizumab for NPC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This single-arm phase II nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted by the National Cancer Trials Network group and NRG Oncology (formerly Radiation Therapy Oncology Group), with accrual from December 13, 2006, to February 5, 2009, and data analysis from June 26 to July 1, 2019. The study was conducted at 19 cancer centers with a median (IQR) follow-up of 9.0 (7.7-9.3) years. Included patients were adults (aged ≥18 years) with NPC that was World Health Organization (WHO) histologic grade I to IIb or III, American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IIB or greater, and with or without lymph node involvement.

Interventions

Patients received 3 cycles of bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) concurrently with standard cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and RT (69.96 Gy) followed by 3 cycles of adjuvant bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) given concurrently with cisplatin (80 mg/m2) and fluorouracil (1000 mg/m2/d).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was grade 4 hemorrhage or grade 5 adverse events in the first year. Secondary end points were locoregional progression-free (LRPF) interval, distant metastasis-free (DMF) interval, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and other adverse events. Long-term toxic effects and clinical outcomes were reported due to the limited follow-up in the initial report for this trial and the importance of long-term outcomes when combining bevacizumab with chemoradiation.

Results

Among 46 patients with NPC who were enrolled, 44 patients were analyzed (29 males [65.9%]; 23 Asian [52.3%], 2 Black [4.5%], and 16 White [36.4%]; 38 not Hispanic [86.4%]; median [IQR] age, 48.5 [39.0-56.0] years). There were 33 patients with a Zubrod performance status of 0, indicating that they were fully functional and asymptomatic (75.0%); 32 patients with a WHO histologic grade of IIb or III (72.7%); and 39 patients with stage III or IVB disease (88.6%). Among analyzed patients, 42 individuals received radiation therapy of 69.96 Gy or greater (95.5%; dose range, 65.72-70.00 Gy); 30 patients received 3 cycles of cisplatin (68.2%) with RT, and 31 patients received 3 cycles of bevacizumab with RT (70.5%); this was followed by 3 cycles of adjuvant cisplatin in 21 patients (47.7%), fluorouracil in 24 patients (54.5%), and bevacizumab in 23 patients (52.3%). No grade 4 hemorrhage or grade 5 AEs were reported in the first year or thereafter. Late grade 3 AEs occurred in 16 patients (36.4%), including 7 patients with dysphagia (15.9%), 6 patients with hearing impairment (13.6%), and 2 patients with dry mouth (4.5%). The 1- and 5-year rates of feeding tube use were 5 of 41 patients (12.2%) and 0 of 27 patients, respectively. There were 19 patients (43.2%) who progressed or died without disease progression (6 patients with locoregional progression [13.6%], 8 patients with distant progression [18.2%], and 5 patients who died without progression [11.4%]). The 5- and 7-year rates were 79.5% (95% CI, 67.6%-91.5%) and 69.7% (95% CI, 55.9%-83.5%) for OS, 61.2% (95% CI, 46.8%-75.6%) and 56.3% (95% CI, 41.5%-71.1%) for PFS, 74.9% (95% CI, 61.4%-86.6%) and 72.3% (95% CI, 58.4%-84.7%) for LRPF interval, and 79.5% (95% CI,66.4%-90.0%) for both times for DMF interval. Among 13 patients who died, death was due to disease in 8 patients (61.5%).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this nonrandomized controlled trial, no grade 4 hemorrhage or grade 5 AEs were reported in the first year or thereafter among patients with NPC receiving bevacizumab combined with chemoradiation. The rate of distant metastasis was low although 89% of patients had stage III to IVB disease, suggesting that further investigation may be warranted.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00408694.

Post-operative PET/CT improves the detection of early recurrence of squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity

BACKGROUND

We evaluate the impact of post-operative 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) for radiation planning on the detection of early recurrence (ER) and treatment outcomes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients treated with post-operative radiation between 2005 and 2019 for OSCC at our institution. Extracapsular extension and positive surgical margins were classified as high risk features; pT3-4, node positivity, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, tumor thickness >5 mm, and close surgical margins were considered intermediate risk features. Patients with ER were identified. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to adjust for imbalances between baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

391 patients with OSCC were treated with post-operative radiation. 237 (60.6%) patients underwent post-operative PET/CT planning vs. 154 (39.4%) who were planned with CT only. Patients screened with post-operative PET/CT were more likely to be diagnosed with ER than those planned with CT only (16.5 vs. 3.3%, p < 0.0001). Among patients with ER, those with intermediate features were more likely than those high risk features to undergo major treatment intensification, including re-operation, the addition of chemotherapy, or intensification of radiation by ≥ 10 Gy (91% vs. 9%, p < 0.0001). Post-operative PET/CT was associated with improved disease-free and overall survival for patients with intermediate risk features (IPTW log-rank p = 0.026 and p = 0.047, respectively) but not high risk features (IPTW log-rank p = 0.44 and p = 0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of post-operative PET/CT is associated with increased detection of early recurrence. Among patients with intermediate risk features, this may translate to improved disease-free survival.

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.

Assessment of Oncology Patient Engagement and Interest in Virtual Mind-Body Programming: Moving Toward Personalization of Virtual Care

PURPOSE

Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual platform has become a prominent medium to deliver mind-body therapies, but the extent to which patients engage in virtual mind-body programming remains unclear. This study aims to assess oncology patient engagement in a virtual mind-body program.

METHODS

We surveyed oncology patients enrolled in a live-streamed (synchronous) virtual mind-body program in May 2021. Patients self-reported engagement by weekly attendance. We applied multivariate regression to identify associations of engagement with sociodemographic and clinical factors. As an exploratory analysis, we used machine learning to partition engagement subgroups to determine preferential interest in prerecorded (asynchronous) mind-body therapy videos.

RESULTS

Among 148 patients surveyed (response rate: 21.4%), majority were female (94.5%), White (83.1%), age 65 years or older (64.9%), retired (64.2%), and in survivorship (61.8%). Patient engagement ranged from 1 to 13 classes/week (mean [standard deviation]: 4.23 [2.56]) and was higher for female (β, .82; 95% CI, 0.01 to 1.62), non-White (β, .63; 95% CI, 0.13 to 1.13), and retired patients (β, .50; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.88). The partition model identified three engagement subgroups: employed (low engagers), retired White (intermediate engagers), and retired non-White (high engagers). Particularly, low engagers had preferential interest in meditation videos (odds ratio, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.24 to 6.54), and both low and high engagers had preferential interest in Tai Chi videos (odds ratio, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.06 to 4.82).

CONCLUSION

In this cross-sectional study among oncology patients, engagement in virtual mind-body programming was higher for female, non-White, and retired patients. Our findings suggest the need for both synchronous and asynchronous mind-body programming to meet the diverse needs of oncology patients.

Biomarkers predictive of response to pembrolizumab in head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

We performed an integrated biomarker evaluation in pembrolizumab-treated patients with R/M HNSCC enrolled in KEYNOTE-012 or KEYNOTE-055. The relationship between biomarkers and HPV status was explored.

METHODS

We evaluated PD-L1 (combined positive score [CPS]), TMB, T-cell-inflamed gene expression profile (Tcell_inf GEP), and HPV status. Associations between biomarkers were evaluated by logistic regression (ORR) and Cox regression (PFS, OS).

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty-seven patients (KEYNOTE-012, n = 106; KEYNOTE-055, n = 151) had TMB data available; of these, 254 had PD-L1 and 236 had Tcell_inf GEP. TMB, PD-L1, and Tcell_inf GEP were each significantly associated with ORR (p < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier curves at prespecified cutoffs generally showed PFS and OS separation in the anticipated direction for these biomarkers, except for OS and TMB. TMB did not correlate with PD-L1 or Tcell_inf GEP (Spearman ρ = -0.03 and ρ = -0.13, respectively); PD-L1 and Tcell_inf GEP were moderately correlated (Spearman ρ = 0.47). In multivariate models, TMB, PD-L1, and Tcell_inf GEP were each independently predictive for ORR (p < 0.001). ORR was higher in patients with high versus low levels of biomarkers when dichotomized using prespecified cutoffs; patients with higher versus lower levels of TMB and PD-L1 or TMB and Tcell_inf GEP had the highest ORRs. Within HPV subgroups, higher versus lower distributions of biomarkers (PD-L1, TMB, and Tcell_inf GEP) were associated with response. HPV detection by p16-immunohistochemistry and WES showed good concordance (81%); results were generally similar by HPV status, regardless of the detection method.

CONCLUSIONS

TMB and the inflammatory biomarkers PD-L1 and Tcell_inf GEP, assessed alone or together, may be useful for characterizing clinical response to pembrolizumab in R/M HNSCC.

Toxicity Profiles and Survival Outcomes Among Patients With Nonmetastatic Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy vs Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMPORTANCE

Patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) treated with radiotherapy often experience substantial toxic effects, even with modern techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) has a potential advantage over IMRT due to reduced dose to the surrounding organs at risk; however, data are scarce given the limited availability and use of IMPT.

OBJECTIVE

To compare toxic effects and oncologic outcomes among patients with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic OPC treated with IMPT vs IMRT with or without chemotherapy.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study included patients aged 18 years or older with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic OPC who received curative-intent radiotherapy with IMPT or IMRT at a single-institution tertiary academic cancer center from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021, with follow-up through December 31, 2021.

EXPOSURES

IMPT or IMRT with or without chemotherapy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcomes were the incidence of acute and chronic (present after ≥6 months) treatment-related adverse events (AEs) and oncologic outcomes, including locoregional recurrence (LRR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Fisher exact tests and χ2 tests were used to evaluate associations between toxic effects and treatment modality (IMPT vs IMRT), and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare LRR, PFS, and OS between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

The study included 292 patients with OPC (272 [93%] with human papillomavirus [HPV]-p16-positive tumors); 254 (87%) were men, 38 (13%) were women, and the median age was 64 years (IQR, 58-71 years). Fifty-eight patients (20%) were treated with IMPT, and 234 (80%) were treated with IMRT. Median follow-up was 26 months (IQR, 17-36 months). Most patients (283 [97%]) received a dose to the primary tumor of 70 Gy. Fifty-seven of the patients treated with IMPT (98%) and 215 of those treated with IMRT (92%) had HPV-p16-positive disease. There were no significant differences in 3-year OS (97% IMPT vs 91% IMRT; P = .18), PFS (82% IMPT vs 85% IMRT; P = .62), or LRR (5% IMPT vs 4% IMRT; P = .59). The incidence of acute toxic effects was significantly higher for IMRT compared with IMPT for oral pain of grade 2 or greater (42 [72%] IMPT vs 217 [93%] IMRT; P < .001), xerostomia of grade 2 or greater (12 [21%] IMPT vs 68 [29%] IMRT; P < .001), dysgeusia of grade 2 or greater (16 [28%] IMPT vs 134 [57%] IMRT; P < .001), grade 3 dysphagia (4 [7%] IMPT vs 29 [12%] IMRT; P < .001), mucositis of grade 3 or greater (10 [53%] IMPT vs 13 [70%] IMRT; P = .003), nausea of grade 2 or greater (0 [0%] IMPT vs 18 [8%] IMRT; P = .04), and weight loss of grade 2 or greater (22 [37%] IMPT vs 138 [59%] IMRT; P < .001). There were no significant differences in chronic toxic effects of grade 3 or greater, although there was a significant difference for chronic xerostomia of grade 2 or greater (6 IMPT [11%] vs 22 IMRT [10%]; P < .001). Four patients receiving IMRT (2%) vs 0 receiving IMPT had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube for longer than 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, curative-intent radiotherapy with IMPT for nonmetastatic OPC was associated with a significantly reduced acute toxicity burden compared with IMRT, with few chronic toxic effects and favorable oncologic outcomes, including locoregional recurrence of only 5% at 2 years. Prospective randomized clinical trials comparing these 2 technologies and of patient-reported outcomes are warranted.

Correlation of an Electronic Geriatric Assessment With Receipt of Adjuvant Radiation and Chemotherapy in Older Adults With Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose

Treatment patterns for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) vary among older adults because of concerns about their health status. Geriatric assessment may guide treatment for older adults with HNSCC by assessing their health status.

Methods and Materials

We conducted a retrospective review of adjuvant treatment received by older patients with HNSCC who completed a novel geriatric assessment, the electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment, before treatment. The electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment yields an accumulated geriatric deficits (AGD) score. Higher AGD score indicates greater frailty. Comparators were age and performance status. The Wilcoxon rank sum test compared differences between those who did and did not receive adjuvant radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Results

The cohort included 73 patients, of whom 56 (77%) had oral cavity cancer. The most common geriatric deficits were major distress, social activity limitation, depression, and impaired activities of daily living. AGD score, age, and performance status were not associated with receipt of adjuvant radiation. Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy had a significantly lower median AGD score than those who did not (3 vs 6; P = .044), but there was no association with age and performance status. Of the 17 patients with newly diagnosed disease and either positive margins or extranodal extension, only 9 received adjuvant radiation and only 3 received systemic therapy. Most often, systemic therapy was omitted because of patient preference or comorbidities and poor performance status. There was a nonstatistically significant lower AGD score between patients who did and did not receive standard fractionated radiation therapy (median, 4 vs 6.5; P = .13).

Conclusions

Receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with frailty. Rates of chemotherapy utilization were very low, indicating the need for novel strategies to mitigate the toxicity burden in this patient population. Receipt of adjuvant radiation therapy was not associated with frailty; however, there was a trend toward lower frailty among those who did receive radiation therapy.

A Pilot Study of Durvalumab (MEDI4736) with Tremelimumab in Combination with Image-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Metastatic Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer

Background: Metastatic anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a poor prognosis. This pilot study aims to evaluate tremelimumab plus durvalumab with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to improve overall survival (OS). Methods: Eligible patients received up to 4 doses tremelimumab (75 mg) given q4 weeks and up to 1 year of durvalumab (1500 mg) given q4 weeks. SBRT at 9 Gy × 3 fractions was given within the first 2 weeks of the start of treatment. Paired biopsies (pretreatment and between 3 and 10 weeks after the first dose of the drug treatment) were done in the medically qualified patients. Major inclusion criteria are metastatic ATC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2, no prior immunotherapy, and last anticancer treatment >7 days before starting the study. The primary endpoint was 1 year OS with the combination of durvalumab, tremelimumab, and SBRT in metastatic ATC patients with a target of 1 year OS in ≥2 out of 12 patients. Results: A total of 13 patients signed consent but only 12 patients ultimately participated in this trial. One patient who consented to the protocol became ineligible for this study due to continued decline in performance status. Patient characteristics were as follows: male (n = 6) with a median age of 71 years (range: 49-82), and ECOG = 1. Nine patients had prior neck radiation and nine patients had prior chemotherapy. Next-generation sequencing and PD-L1 staining were done in the nine patients where tissue was available. High microsatellite instability (MSI) corresponding to mismatch repair defect was noted in two patients. There were zero confirmed responses and only one patient had stable disease and was treated with ≥4 cycles of study drugs. The median time that the patients were under treatment was 11 weeks (1-28 weeks). MSI status did not affect treatment response. High MSI patients were on treatment for 8-14 weeks before disease progression. The median OS was 14.5 weeks with only 1 patient alive beyond 1 year. The presence of a BRAF or p53 mutation did not appear to affect treatment outcome. Conclusions: Tremelimumab and durvalumab with SBRT did not improve OS for ATC. Future research is needed to examine other novel immunotherapy combinations with or without radiotherapy in the treatment of ATC. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03122496.

Comparison of Objective Measures of Trismus and Salivation With Patient-reported Outcomes Following Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer

Importance

Xerostomia and reduced mouth opening are negatively associated with quality of life after radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer. Studies comparing objective measures of function with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have not revealed a clear association.

Objective

To determine how much of the variation in PROs is explained by objective measures of salivary gland and oral cavity functions (salivary flow and maximal interincisal opening).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study at a single academic cancer center evaluated 112 patients who underwent RT for head and neck cancer between January 2016 and March 2021. Measurements of pre-RT and post-RT saliva and a complete PROs scale within 6 months of the post-RT measurement were analyzed using pairwise associations.

Interventions

Three independently scored PRO scales from the validated FACE-Q Head and Neck Cancer Module were evaluated: eating and drinking, eating distress, and salivation. Three objective measures were analyzed: maximal interincisal opening, stimulated salivary flow, and unstimulated salivary flow.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Univariable linear regression models were performed for each PRO against each objective measure, and coefficients of determination (R2) and 95% CIs were reported.

Results

The patient cohort comprised 86 men (77%). Median age was 61 years (IQR, 53-68 years), 89 patients (80%) were White, and 61 patients (54%) were current or former smokers. Unstimulated saliva accounted for only a small portion of variation on the salivation scale (R2 = 14.0%). The remaining associations were even smaller (R2 = 5.0%-10.0%). No upper 95% CI bound included an R2 of 30%, suggesting that objective measurements do not explain a high level of the variation in PROs.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, objective measurements of salivary flow and mouth opening explained only a small fraction of variation in PROs. These findings suggest that factors other than objective function, including patient adaptation, are the dominant influence on PROs in this population. Patient-reported outcomes should be integrated into head and neck cancer clinical care and research. Additional research is required to evaluate which clinicopathological factors influence PROs for salivation, eating and drinking, and eating distress.

A pilot study of trametinib in combination with paclitaxel in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer

6088

Background: Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer (ATC) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor with extremely poor prognosis. Outside of the recent approval of dabrafenib/trametinib for BRAF mutant tumors, there are no other standard treatment available for metastatic ATC. The majority of ATC is driven through the MAPK pathway. Data in lung cancer suggested synergy with trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, and taxanes. Methods: In this pilot study we used Trametinib (2 mg) daily with Paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) administered weekly for the first 3 weeks out the 4 week-cycle. Restaging imaging was performed every 6-8 weeks (1.5-2 cycles). Eligible patients had ATC with baseline ECOG performance status ≤ 1 and were enrolled at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Prior treatment allowed. Prior brain metastases were allowed if treated and stable off of steroids. Primary objective was PFS at 6 months with the target of > 2 subjects out of 12 at the time point. Results: 12 patients (6 men and 6 women) were enrolled between 11/2017 and 10/2021. Seven (58%) had prior radiation to the neck; 4 (33%) had prior treatment (not including with radiation) for ATC; 1 (8%) had prior brain metastases. Three (25%) partial responses were reported, and five (41.67%) reported stable disease. Subjects with partial responses had a BRAF V600E mutation (1), BRAF fusion gene (1), and a RAS mutation (1). Median time on treatment was 10.5 weeks (3-47+ weeks). Median overall survival was 26 weeks (3-59+). Six-month progression free survival (PFS) was achieved in 3 patient (25%), one of whom remains on study. 2 patients discontinued treatment due to unacceptable toxicity. The most frequent adverse events observed (all grades) were anemia (75%), increased AST, diarrhea and leukopenia (all 50%). Grade 3/4 AEs included neutropenia (25%), with anemia, AST increased, febrile neutropenia, and lymphopenia, all 16.67%. Grade 4 reactions included lymphopenia (n = 2) and leukopenia (n = 1). Conclusions: Our target progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months was observed on this study. The combination of trametinib and paclitaxel should be evaluated in a larger cohort of patients in the future. Clinical trial information: NCT03085056.

Impact of a shared-care model between community and academic centers for facilitating access to allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantation

1510

Background: Despite curative or disease-controlling roles in AML/MDS and MM, access to allogeneic (allo) and autologous (auto) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) remains far from universal. Socioeconomic status (SES) and geographic distance from SCT centers have been shown to be barriers to SCT access. In 2016, Hartford HealthCare (HHC) and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) pioneered a Shared-Care Model (SCM) to streamline access to allo and auto SCT at MSK, featuring a dedicated nurse SCT coordinator, shared hematology tumor boards, MSK-led didactics for HHC providers, and an electronic health record sharing pipeline. We sought to determine if this has improved access to SCT for HHC patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of HHC patients aged 18-70 with new diagnoses of AML, MDS, and MM between 2016 and 2020. Socioeconomic status (SES) was estimated by 9-digit zip-code using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), shown to be a surrogate for healthcare access. Referral or not to a SCT center, referral to MSK through the SCM, and reasons for non-referral were abstracted from the medical record. For patients referred for SCT at MSK, we also captured the number of peri-SCT days in New York City (NYC) and number of subsequent MSK and HHC clinic visits/hospitalizations within 1-year post-SCT. Results: A total of 126 patients was included, with 81 (64%) treated for AML/MDS and 45 (36%) for MM. The median age was 60 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 53-66). The majority were white (n = 101, 80%) followed by 10% (n = 13) Black/African American; 10% (n = 12) were of Hispanic ethnicity. The median ADI percentile was 38 (IQR: 20-51; higher percentiles reflect decreased SES). The median ADI for MSK SCT referrals from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut 2016-2020 for the same indications was 19 (IQR: 10-30, p < 0.001). A total of 90 patients (71%) were referred to SCT centers. Leading reasons for no referral were favorable-risk disease (n = 10), goals of care (n = 9), and death prior to referral (n = 5); 3 patients were not referred due to comorbidities/performance status. No differences were found between patients referred to MSK vs. other centers. Thirty-four HHC patients were referred to MSK (21 AML/MDS, 13 MM), vs. 3 between 2010 and 2015. Twelve patients underwent allo SCT, with median 97 days in NYC (range: 68-247); 8 underwent auto SCT, with median 21 days in NYC (range: 15-48). Conclusions: Our findings show the feasibility of a shared-care model between a non-SCT-providing large regional hospital system and a major academic transplantation center. Close collaboration between institutions may minimize time patients spend away from home. The SES of HHC referrals was lower than the general MSK population, suggesting that a shared-care model may facilitate access to SCT for patients with previous barriers for this potentially curative therapy.

Phase 2 of trametinib plus radioiodine in RAS-mutant and wild-type, radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer (ETCTN9446)

6089

Background: A pilot study showed MEK inhibition could enhance radioiodine (RAI) avidity/efficacy in 5 RAS mutant (MUT), RAI-refractory (RAIR) thyroid cancer (TC) patients (pts). This phase 2 trial with the MEK 1/2 inhibitor trametinib (tram) was conducted to define the efficacy of this “redifferentiation” strategy in RAS MUT RAIR pts and separately in a RAS wild-type (WT) cohort. Methods: Recurrent and/or metastatic, RAIR TC pts w/ RAS MUT (Cohort A) or RAS WT (excluding BRAFV600E) (Cohort B) tumors were treated w/ tram (2 mg orally daily). Progressive disease or new/worsening disease-related symptoms was required for Cohort A pts. 124I PET was performed at baseline and the fourth week of tram. If the second 124I PET showed increased RAI avidity allowing > 2000 cGy to be delivered to a tumor w/ < 300 mCi 131I, pts were treated w/ 131I, guided by whole body and blood dosimetry. Tram was continued through 2 days s/p 131I. Pts who did not qualify for 131I from A/B were taken off study or continued tram alone (Cohort C). For Cohort A (n = 25), the two co-primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) 6 months (mos) s/p 131I. Observing either >4 pts w/ confirmed complete or partial response (cCR or cPR) or > 9 progression-free at 6 mos would be considered promising. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of pts w/ increased 124I, safety/tolerability of tram and thyroglobulin changes s/p RAI. The Cohort B primary endpoint was the proportion of pts whose tumors exceeded the lesional dosimetry threshold for 131I w/ tram. An exploratory endpoint for Cohort C was best objective response (BOR) w/ tram. Results: 25 RAS MUT pts enrolled in Cohort A. 23 had at least one (> 1) 124I (-) lesion, 21 had >1 124I (+) lesions and 4 pts had tumors lacking any 124I uptake. After tram treatment, 22/25 had increased 124I uptake; 17/23 had 124I (-) tumors convert positive. Importantly, 15/25 (60%) pts had increased 124I uptake and met lesional dosimetry criteria for 131I on tram. Of 14 pts treated w/ 131I, 8 (57%) achieved cPR, 3 (21%) stable disease (SD) and 3 (21%) progression of disease (PD) 6 mos s/p RAI, translating to 32% ORR and 44% 6-month PFS among all 25 pts. Cohort B had 9 pts (4 Class II BRAF alterations, 4 RET rearrangements, 1 STK11 mutation). 3/4 pts w/ Class II BRAF altered tumors qualified for 131I, leading to 1 cPR, 2 SD 6 mos s/p 131I. 1/4 pts w/ RET rearranged tumors qualified for 131I, producing SD at 6 mos. The STK11 MUT pt did not have increased 124I uptake w/ tram. 7 131I-ineligible pts enrolled to continue tram (Cohort C). Two serious adverse events (grade 3 anemia [Cohort A], grade 3 ejection fraction decrease [Cohort C]) and 3 grade 1 blurred vision/decreased visual acuity AEs were related to tram. Conclusions: Trametinib enhanced RAI uptake/efficacy in a subset of RAS MUT and Class II BRAF altered tumors. Further study to define the efficacy and optimal application of this therapeutic strategy is warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT02152995.

Assessing effectiveness of first-line carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic lung adenocarcinoma

e21045

Background: Randomized clinical trial data support the addition of immune checkpoint inhibitors to standard first-line platinum-doublet in patients with recurrent/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. In the landmark KN189 Trial in which patients received carboplatin or cisplatin in combination with pemetrexed and pembrolizumab, the updated analysis (Gadgeel et al, JCO 2020) reported a median overall survival of 22 months. To explore the translation of this clinical trial-proven efficacy to clinical effectiveness in routine practice, we sought to explore patient outcomes with the combination of pemetrexed, carboplatin, and pembrolizumab as initial therapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: At two large, urban, academic medical centers (Hackensack University Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center), we reviewed patient treatment data to identify all patient all patients with recurrent/metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer who received carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab as initial therapy for recurrent/metastatic NSCLC from June 2017 to December 2020. Patients with EGFR mutations or ALK gene fusions were excluded. From the medical record, we obtained baseline clinical characteristics, patient treatments and duration, as well as overall survival. Results: We identified 523 patients treated with carboplatin/pemetrexed/pembrolizumab, with 399 events occurring during the observation period. Baseline characteristics: 47% women and median age 66 (Interquartile range 59-72). The median overall survival from start of therapy was 11 months (95% confidence interval 9-12 months). Conclusions: In routine clinical practice, initiation of chemotherapy + immune checkpoint inhibitor as first-line therapy for patients with recurrent/metastatic NSCLC led to shorter median overall survival than reported in clinical trials. To further evaluate this finding, we will explore patient baseline characteristics including performance status, comorbidities, organ function as well as explore outcomes of a historical cohort of patients administered carboplatin and pemetrexed.

A pilot study of neoadjuvant cemiplimab with platinum-doublet chemotherapy and cetuximab in patients with resectable, locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

TPS6109

Background: Definitive treatment of locally advanced HNSCC can require radical surgery and reconstruction often resulting in unacceptable functional consequences. Radiotherapy, often with concurrent chemotherapy, is administered postoperatively to achieve the best chance for cure. Induction chemotherapy has previously been shown to reduce the extent of surgical resection and need for adjuvant radiation (RT). The purpose of this trial is to evaluate if an induction regimen combining cytotoxic chemotherapy, EGFR targeting, and immune checkpoint blockade can pathologically downstage resectable HNSCC sufficiently to decrease surgical morbidity and justify omission of adjuvant RT-based therapy. Compared to standard docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU (TPF), docetaxel, cisplatin, and cetuximab (TPC) has been shown to be a therapeutic alternative with a more favorable toxicity profile. Targeting PD-1 alone can induce significant pathologic responses in resectable HNSCC patients. Combining PD-1 inhibitors with cetuximab has shown promising activity in incurable HNSCC; cetuximab may optimize the tumor immune microenvionment for PD-1 therapy by stimulating IFN-gamma secretion to increase dendritic cell maturation and CD8 T cell expression of PD1. Based on this rationale, we are evaluating the novel induction regimen of platinum, docetaxel, cetuximab plus cemiplimab (anti-PD1 antibody). Methods: This is a 10-patient pilot study for locally advanced, resectable HNSCC patients for whom standard management requires adjuvant RT +/- chemotherapy. Patients will receive neoadjuvant treatment with a loading dose of cetuximab and cemiplimab followed by 3 cycles of cisplatin or carboplatin, docetaxel, cetuximab and cemiplimab followed by definitive surgical resection of the primary site +/- neck dissection(s). Post-operative RT +/- radiosensitizing agent(s) will be administered per standard of care (SOC) based on pathologic staging (rather than clinical staging at presentation). If the pathologic stage following induction and surgery is ypT0-2N0 without adverse features, adjuvant RT will not be administered and 6 months of adjuvant cemiplimab will be given. Otherwise, patients will receive SOC adjuvant RT-based treatment. The primary endpoint is safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints include feasibility assessed by the number of patients whose definitive surgery was delayed due to toxicity and quantifying the number in whom clinical to pathologic downstaging is achieved and the planned surgery and/or need for adjuvant-RT based therapy is modified. Exploratory endpoints include evaluating the association between biomarkers in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood with pathologic response. 8 of 10 patients have been enrolled. Clinical trial information: NCT04722523.

Assessment of telehealth experience among a head and neck oncology population

e13650

Background: Studies suggest that oncology patients are satisfied and sometimes prefer telehealth over an in-person visit; however, data are scarce on when patients find telehealth helpful. Such information would be key in understanding how telehealth can be optimally integrated into cancer care delivery. This study aims to identify factors that influence patient experience of telehealth among a multidisciplinary head and neck oncology population. Methods: From Mar 2020 to Dec 2020, we surveyed head and neck oncology patients at a comprehensive cancer center and 6 satellite sites in New York and New Jersey. We assessed patient experience of telehealth versus in-person visit (primary outcome) and their satisfaction with telehealth (secondary outcome). We conducted multivariate regression to analyze covariates that may influence their experience and satisfaction. Covariates included patient factors (age, gender, race, marital status, primary language, home state, home distance from center, current location at home or clinic), clinical factors (diagnosis, performance status, receiving chemotherapy or radiation), physician factors (profession, current location at main or regional campus), visit factors (type, length, billing level, month, first telehealth visit or not), and a technological factor (device type). Results: Among 1,071 completed surveys (response rate 24.0%), 551 first-unique surveys were analyzed. Surveyed patients were predominantly 60 years or older (64.1%), white (88.3%), married (73.8%), and lived within 50 miles from our cancer center (76.1%). Majority had diagnoses of head and neck cancers (65.7%), followed by thyroid cancers (23.8%), and skin cancers (10.5%). While most patients would recommend telehealth (82.4%), only half reported telehealth the same or better compared to in-person visits (55.7%), whereas the other half reported not as good or unsure (44.3%). In multivariate analyses, patients who found telehealth the same or better than in-person visits were more likely to have thyroid cancers (adjusted odds ratios [aOR]: 2.18, CI 95% 1.44 - 3.36) and have visits from July to December (aOR 1.61, CI 95% 1.14 - 2.27). Satisfaction with telehealth was higher among patients with thyroid cancers (aOR: 2.58, CI 95% 1.20 - 6.41), on visits when patients were at home (aOR 3.48, CI 95% 1.37 - 8.42) and when physicians were on campus (aOR 1.73, CI 95% 1.00 - 2.99). Conclusions: Patient experience with telehealth is diverse among the head and neck oncology population; while one-half found telehealth the same or better compared to in-person visits, the other half found it not as good or unsure. More favorable telehealth experience among patient subgroups highlights the multidisciplinary nature of head and neck oncology and improved acceptance of telehealth over time. Future research to optimize patient experience is needed to ensure successful integration of telehealth in head and neck oncology practices.

Recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of HB-200 arenavirus-based cancer immunotherapies in patients with HPV16+ cancers

2517

Background: Treatment options are limited for patients with recurrent or metastatic human papillomavirus 16 positive (HPV16+) cancers. Generation and maintenance of HPV16+ cancers requires stable expression of HPV16-specific E7 and E6 oncoproteins, which are also a source of tumor-specific immunogenic neoantigens. HB-201 and HB-202 are replicating live-attenuated vectors based on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Pichinde virus, respectively, which express the same non-oncogenic HPV16 E7E6 fusion protein and infect antigen presenting cells to induce tumor-specific T cell responses. The Phase 1 part of this study of HB-200 therapy (HB-201 single-vector therapy and HB-202/HB-201 two-vector alternating therapy) was conducted to determine RP2D for further exploration alone or in combination with pembrolizumab. Methods: The Phase 1 part used a 3+3 dose escalation design with up to 3 dose levels (DLs) of HB-201 and 4 DLs of HB-202/HB-201 explored. Patients with HPV16+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or with other HPV16+ cancers were evaluated. Safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and preliminary antitumor activity by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 or immune RECIST were assessed to determine RP2D. Results: As of January 2022, 65 patients with a median of 3 prior anticancer treatments have been enrolled in the Phase 1 part of the study. All had HPV16+ confirmed genotype; the most common primary site was oropharynx, followed by anal and cervix. Adverse events were generally mild or moderate. For HB-201, 3 DLs, 2 dosing schedules and 2 administration routes were assessed across 40 patients. At DL3 of HB-201 administered intravenously (IV), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred in 1/6 patients in the HNSCC group (Grade 4 encephalopathy, fully recovered) and 1/2 patients in the non-HNSCC group (Grade 3 rash, fully recovered). Preliminary safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity data support IV injection of DL3 (5 × 107 units) every 3 weeks (Q3W) as the RP2D for HB-201 single-vector therapy. For HB-202/HB-201, 4 DLs and 2 administration routes were assessed across 25 patients. At DL4 of HB-202/HB-201 IV, 1/5 subjects in the HNSCC group reported a DLT (Grade 4 hepatitis, recovering at time of discontinuation). RP2D for HB-202/HB-201 will be determined in the very near future. Tumor control, including partial response, have been observed in subjects treated with either HB-201 or HB-202/HB-201 as monotherapy. Conclusions: HB-201 and HB-202/HB-201 were generally well tolerated and showed preliminary antitumor activity in heavily pre-treated patients with HPV16+ solid tumors. DL3 was selected as RP2D for HB-201 monotherapy. In the Phase 2 part of the study a combination of HB-201 at 5 × 106 units IV Q3W with pembrolizumab is being tested in HPV16+ HNSCC patients. Clinical trial information: NCT04180215.

Implementation Strategies to Increase Clinical Trial Enrollment in a Community-Academic Partnership and Impact on Hispanic Representation: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis

PURPOSE

Community-academic partnerships have the potential to improve access to clinical trials for under-represented minority patients who more often receive cancer treatment in community settings. In 2017, the Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center began opening investigator-initiated clinical trials in radiation oncology in targeted community-based partner sites with a high potential to improve diverse population accrual. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a set of implementation strategies for increasing overall community-based enrollment and the resulting proportional enrollment of Hispanic patients on trials on the basis of availability in community-based partner sites.

METHODS

An interrupted time series analysis evaluating implementation strategies was conducted from April 2018 to September 2021. Descriptive analysis ofHispanic enrollment on investigator-initiated randomized therapeutic radiation trials open at community-based sites was compared with those open only at themain academic center.

RESULTS

Overall, 84 patients were enrolled in clinical trials in the MSK Alliance, of which 48 (56%) identified as Hispanic. The quarterly patient enrollment pre- vs postimplementation increased from 1.39 (95% CI, -3.67 to 6.46) to 9.42 (95% CI, 2.05 to 16.78; P5 .017). In the investigator-initiated randomized therapeutic radiation trials open in the MSK Alliance, Hispanic representation was 11.5% and 35.9% in twometastatic trials and 14.2% in a proton versus photon trial. Inmatched trials open only at the main academic center, Hispanic representation was 5.6%, 6.0%, and 4.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A combination of practice-level and physician-level strategies implemented at community-based partner sites was associated with increased clinical trial enrollment, which translated to improved Hispanic representation. This supports the role Q:2 of strategic community-academic partnerships in addressing disparities in clinical trial enrollment.

Pharmacodynamic and therapeutic pilot studies of single-agent ribavirin in patients with human papillomavirus-related malignancies

OBJECTIVES

Ribavirin inhibits eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), thereby decreasing cap-dependent translation. In this two-part study, we assessed the pharmacodynamic effects and therapeutic potential of ribavirin in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related malignancies.

METHODS

In the pharmacodynamic study, ribavirin (400 mg BID for 14 days) was evaluated in 8 patients with HPV-positive localized oropharyngeal carcinoma with phosphorylated-eIF4E (p-eIF4E) ≥ 30%. In the therapeutic study, ribavirin (1400 mg BID in 28-day cycles, continuously dosed) was evaluated in 12 patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HPV-related cancer. Dose interruptions or reductions were allowed according to prespecified criteria. Toxicities were assessed in accordance with National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4; response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Patients remained on study until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

RESULTS

Six patients were evaluable in the pharmacodynamic study: 4 had decreased p-eIF4E after 14 days of ribavirin. In the therapeutic study, 12 patients were evaluable for toxicity, and 9 were evaluable for response. Among these, median follow-up was 3.5 months, and best overall response was stable disease in 5 patients and progression of disease in 4 patients. Median progression-free survival was 1.8 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events (grade > 2) were anemia, dyspnea, and hyperbilirubinemia. All patients had anemia (grades 1-3), with 33% having at least 1 dose reduction.

CONCLUSION

Oral ribavirin decreases p-eIF4E levels and is well-tolerated. However, a clear signal of efficacy in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic HPV-related cancers was not observed. (NCT02308241, NCT01268579).

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Head and Neck Cancers, Version 1.2022

The NCCN Guidelines for Head and Neck Cancers address tumors arising in the oral cavity (including mucosal lip), pharynx, larynx, and paranasal sinuses. Occult primary cancer, salivary gland cancer, and mucosal melanoma (MM) are also addressed. The specific site of disease, stage, and pathologic findings guide treatment (eg, the appropriate surgical procedure, radiation targets, dose and fractionation of radiation, indications for systemic therapy). The NCCN Head and Neck Cancers Panel meets at least annually to review comments from reviewers within their institutions, examine relevant new data from publications and abstracts, and reevaluate and update their recommendations. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel's most recent recommendations regarding management of HPV-positive oropharynx cancer and ongoing research in this area.

Enhancing Radioiodine Incorporation in BRAF-Mutant, Radioiodine-Refractory Thyroid Cancers with Vemurafenib and the Anti-ErbB3 Monoclonal Antibody CDX-3379: Results of a Pilot Clinical Trial

Background: Oncogenic activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is associated with radioiodine refractory (RAIR) thyroid cancer. Preclinical models suggest that activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase erbB-3 (HER3) mitigates the MAPK pathway inhibition achieved by BRAF inhibitors in BRAF^V600E mutant thyroid cancers. We hypothesized that combined inhibition of BRAF and HER3 using vemurafenib and the human monoclonal antibody CDX-3379, respectively, would potently inhibit MAPK activation and restore radioactive iodine (RAI) avidity in patients with BRAF-mutant RAIR thyroid cancer. Methods: Patients with BRAF^V600E RAIR thyroid cancer were evaluated by thyrogen-stimulated iodine-124 (¹²⁴I) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) at baseline and after 5 weeks of treatment with oral vemurafenib 960 mg twice daily alone for 1 week, followed by vemurafenib in combination with 1000 mg of intravenous CDX-3379 every 2 weeks. Patients with adequate ¹²⁴I uptake on the second PET/CT then received therapeutic radioactive iodine (¹³¹I) with vemurafenb+CDX-3379. All therapy was discontinued two days later. Treatment response was monitored by serum thyroglobulin measurements and imaging. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability of vemurafenib+CDX-3379, as well as the proportion of patients after vemurafenb+CDX-3379 therapy with enhanced RAI incorporation warranting therapeutic ¹³¹I. Results: Seven patients were enrolled; six were evaluable for the primary endpoints. No grade 3 or 4 toxicities related to CDX-3379 were observed. Five patients had increased RAI uptake after treatment; in 4 patients this increased uptake warranted therapeutic ¹³¹I. At 6 months, 2 patients achieved partial response after ¹³¹I and 2 progression of disease. Next-generation sequencing of 5 patients showed that all had co-occurring telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter alterations. A deleterious mutation in the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable (SWI/SNF) gene ARID2 was discovered in the patient without enhanced RAI avidity after therapy and an RAI-resistant tumor from another patient that was sampled off-study. Conclusions: The endpoints for success were met, providing preliminary evidence of vemurafenib+CDX-3379 safety and efficacy for enhancing RAI uptake. Preclinical data and genomic profiling in this small cohort suggest SWI/SNF gene mutations should be investigated as potential markers of resistance to redifferentiation strategies. Further evaluation of vemurafenib+CDX-3379 as a redifferentiation therapy in a larger trial is warranted (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02456701).

Evaluation of Substantial Reduction in Elective Radiotherapy Dose and Field in Patients With Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Treated With Definitive Chemoradiotherapy

IMPORTANCE

Several de-escalation strategies for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) have focused on deintensifying gross disease treatment. Reduction of radiotherapy dose and target volume to subclinical regions may achieve good clinical outcomes with favorable patient quality of life (QOL).

OBJECTIVE

To determine outcomes from a systematic approach of reducing radiotherapy dose and target volume to the elective treatment regions in patients with HPV-associated OPC undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study included 276 consecutive patients with HPV-positive OPC receiving CCRT from March 1, 2017, to July 31, 2019. Data were analyzed from February 23 to September 13, 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

Elective nodal and subclinical regions received 30 Gy of radiotherapy in 15 fractions, followed by a cone down of 40 Gy in 20 fractions to gross disease for a total dose of 70 Gy. The high retropharyngeal nodal basins in the node-negative neck and bilateral levels IB and V basins were omitted.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Patients were followed up to evaluate locoregional control as the primary outcome and distant metastasis-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival as secondary outcomes. Quality-of-life data were obtained at each visit when feasible.

RESULTS

Among the 276 patients included in the analysis, the median age was 61 (range, 36-87) years; 247 (89.5%) were men; and 183 (66.3%) had less than 10 pack-years of smoking history. Most patients (251 [90.9%]) were White. Overall, 87 (31.5%) had cT3-cT4 disease and 65 (23.5%) had cN2-cN3 disease per the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual. One hundred seventy-two patients (62.3%) completed 300-mg/m2 high-dose cisplatin therapy. During a median follow-up of 26 (range, 21-32) months, 8 patients developed locoregional recurrence, including 7 at the primary site or gross nodes that received a total dose of 70 Gy and 1 with a persistent node not previously identified as gross disease that received a total dose of only 30 Gy. The 24-month locoregional control was 97.0%; progression-free survival, 88.0%; distant metastasis-free survival, 95.2%; and overall survival, 95.1%. During treatment, 17 patients (6.2%) required a feeding tube. At 24 months, most of the QOL composite scores (jaw-related problems, pain, social contact, eating, speech, and swallow) were comparable or superior to baseline measures except for senses, dry mouth, muscular tension, and cognitive functioning, which improved over time but remained marginally worse than baseline.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study found that the evaluated de-escalation strategy for elective regions showed favorable clinical outcomes and QOL profiles. Long-term follow-up data will help affirm the efficacy of this strategy as a care option for treating HPV-associated OPC with primary CCRT.

Therapeutic strategies for systemic therapies of human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal cancer

Our understanding of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) and its molecular basis continues to evolve and produce important insights into customized therapeutic strategies. Novel therapeutics exploiting HPV-related targets are being evaluated in the incurable setting, while the favorable prognosis of locoregionally advanced disease has stimulated investigation into de-escalation strategies. There is much opportunity for better personalization of standard therapy according to HPV status. This review discusses both current and investigational therapeutic strategies for HPV-related OPC.

IDH2 R172 Mutations Across Poorly Differentiated Sinonasal Tract Malignancies: Forty Molecularly Homogenous and Histologically Variable Cases With Favorable Outcome

IDH2 R172 mutations occur in sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), sinonasal adenocarcinomas, and olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). We performed a clinical, pathologic, and genetic/epigenetic analysis of a large IDH2-mutated sinonasal tumor cohort to explore their distinct features. A total 165 sinonasal/skull base tumors included 40 IDH2 mutants studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and genome-wide DNA methylation, and 125 IDH2 wild-type tumors used for comparison. Methylation profiles were analyzed by unsupervised hierarchical clustering, t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding dimensionality reduction and assessed for copy number alterations (CNA). Thirty-nine histologically assessable cases included 25 (64.1%) SNUC, 8 (20.5%) LCNEC, 2 (5.1%) poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas, 1 (2.7%) ONB, and 3 (7.7%) IDH2-mutated tumors with ONB features. All cases were high-grade showing necrosis (82.4%), prominent nucleoli (88.9%), and median 21 mitoses/10 HPFs. AE1/AE3 and/or CAM 5.2 were positive in all and insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) in 80% cases. All IDH2 mutants formed one distinct group by t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding dimensionality reduction separating from all IDH2 wild-type tumors. There was no correlation between methylation clusters and histopathologic diagnoses. Recurrent CNA included 1q gain (79.3%), 17p loss (75.9%), and 17q gain (58.6%). No CNA differences were observed between SNUC and LCNEC. IDH2 mutants showed better disease-specific survival than SMARCB1-deficient (P=0.027) and IDH2 wild-type carcinomas overall (P=0.042). IDH2-mutated sinonasal tumors are remarkably homogeneous at the molecular level and distinct from IDH2 wild-type sinonasal malignancies. Biology of IDH2-mutated sinonasal tumors might be primarily defined by their unique molecular fingerprint rather than by their respective histopathologic diagnoses.

ChemoPalRx-A Mobile App That Enhances Chemotherapy Prescription Accuracy: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE

ChemoPalRx is a novel provider order entry mobile application for chemotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of prescribing chemotherapy using ChemoPalRx versus handwritten orders at a safety-net hospital in Los Angeles.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study from October 2019 to December 2019, we evaluated all outpatient chemotherapy orders for accuracy. Our primary predictor was type of prescription, dichotomized as handwritten or ChemoPalRx. Primary outcome was accuracy, dichotomized as accurate if no error was made on an order and as inaccurate if any error was made. Preplanned subgroup analyses were performed with covariates including provider experience, complexity of order, and day of order submission. We characterized error type and analyzed our data using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Among 288 orders (78.5% handwritten; 21.5% ChemoPalRx), prescription accuracy was higher among ChemoPalRx (93.5%) compared with handwritten orders (81.4%; P = .012). In multivariate analysis, prescription accuracy remained superior for ChemoPalRx after adjusting for provider experience, complexity of order, and day of order submission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.82; P = .012). Compared with handwritten orders, ChemoPalRx orders had less missing or incorrect information (1.6% v 13.7%; P = .0016). ChemoPalRx orders were also more accurate on prescriptions that contained two or fewer medications (92.2% v 80.2%; P = .032), submitted on the highest patient-volume clinic day of the week (96.7% v 83.2%; P = .035), and generated by a senior fellow or an attending (97.3% v 76.9%; P = .001).

CONCLUSION

ChemoPalRx is associated with improved chemotherapy prescription accuracy over handwritten orders in the safety-net hospital setting and may serve as an alternative prescribing tool for oncology practices.

Multidisciplinary consensus recommendations for the management of non-spine bone metastases: Results of a modified Delphi process in a community-academic partnership

e24092

Background: Local therapy for bone metastases is becoming increasingly complex, but national guidelines remain limited. We leveraged a community-academic partnership to develop consensus recommendations for multidisciplinary treatment of non-spine bone metastases which are generalizable to diverse practice settings. Methods: We convened a group of 15 physicians (9 radiation oncologists, 2 orthopaedic surgeons, 2 medical oncologists, 1 interventional radiologist, 1 interventional pain specialist) treating bone metastases across 4 institutions from Apr 2020-Feb 2021. We distributed a survey to identify questions warranting consensus development in the treatment of non-spine bone metastases. A literature review was conducted to inform answer statements, and evidence was rated using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy. A modified Delphi process was employed to reach consensus defined (a priori) as ³75% of respondents indicating “agree” or “strongly agree”. Results: A total of 16 questions were identified, including indications for multidisciplinary discussion or referral (n=4), appropriate use and duration of RT (n=4), and handling of systemic therapies during RT (n=5). After 2 rounds of modified Delphi process, consensus has been reached on 9 questions (see Table). Strength of Recommendation was rated A (1/9, 11%), B (5/9, 56%), or C (3/9, 33%). Conclusions: Our consensus process provides guidance for management of non-spine bone metastases that expands upon current guidelines. We also highlight areas where prospective trials are needed, including the role of RT prior to stabilization surgery and the selection of patients for ablative treatment. [Table: see text]

First report of the safety/tolerability and preliminary antitumor activity of HB-201 and HB-202, an arenavirus-based cancer immunotherapy, in patients with HPV16+ cancers

2502

Background: Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is linked to several cancer types. Treatment options are limited for patients with HPV16 positive (HPV16+) recurrent or metastatic cancers. Generation and maintenance of HPV16+ malignant state require stable expression of HPV16-specific E7 and E6 oncoproteins, also a source of immunogenic neoantigens. HB-201 and HB-202 are replicating live-attenuated vectors based on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and Pichinde virus, respectively, which express the same non-oncogenic HPV16 E7E6 fusion protein to induce tumor-specific T-cell responses. This is a first-in-human phase 1/2 study of HB-201 monotherapy and HB-201 & HB-202 alternating 2-vector therapy. Dose escalation is ongoing with a 3+3 design. Methods: Phase 1 is assessing different regimens and dose levels of HB-201 monotherapy and HB-201 & HB-202 alternating 2-vector therapy given intravenously (IV) with or without an initial intratumoral administration. The patient population includes HPV16+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and other HPV16+ cancers. Safety, tolerability, and preliminary antitumor activity by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 or immune RECIST are assessed. Results: As of Jan 2021, 25 patients with a median of 3 prior anticancer treatments have been enrolled. All had HPV16+ confirmed genotype; the most common primary site was oropharynx (72%). No dose-limiting toxicities were reported. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 21 patients (84%), were generally mild or moderate, with events related to study drug reported in 14 patients (56%). TEAEs reported in >10% of patients regardless of causality included fatigue, pyrexia, nausea, decreased appetite, anemia, arthralgia, chills, constipation, diarrhea, hypertension, influenza-like illness, pneumonia, and vomiting. Serious TEAEs developed in 6 patients (24%), including 1 with grade 5 hemorrhagic shock deemed unrelated to study drug. Grade 3 fatigue was the only serious or grade ≥3 TEAE assessed as related to study drug. TEAEs caused no treatment discontinuation. There were 18 patients evaluable for efficacy. For the 16 patients on HB-201 monotherapy, assessment of target lesions showed 2 partial responses (including 1 patient with an unconfirmed immune CR) and 6 patients had stable disease (SD). For the 2 patients on HB-201 & HB-202 alternating therapy, both had SD. So far, the longest duration of response was 4.8 months (144 days) and the maximum decrease in tumor diameter was 60%, both seen in HNSCC patients receiving HB-201 IV. Conclusions: HB-201 monotherapy and HB-201 & HB-202 2-vector alternating therapy were generally well-tolerated and showed preliminary antitumor activity as monotherapy in heavily pre-treated patients with HPV16+ HNSCC and other solid tumors. Clinical trial information: NCT04180215.

The 30 ROC trial: Precision intra-treatment imaging guiding major radiation reduction in human papillomavirus related oropharyngeal cancer

6019

Background: Our previously published proof-of-concept trial using functional imaging to select patient with human papillomavirus (HPV) oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) for radiation de-escalation showed promising results. Here we report the outcome of a larger validation trial using the same paradigm where select HPV+ OPC patients received a definitive dose of 30Gy concurrently with chemotherapy and were subsequently observed. Methods: The trial enrolled patients who had p16+, T0-2, N1-N2c, M0 OPC by AJCC 7th TNM. Patients were required to have resection of the primary site (negative margin not required) or core biopsy of lymph node if unknown primary. In addition to standard positron emission tomography (PET), a pre-radiation dynamic 18F-FMISO (fluoromisonidazole) PET was performed to identify hypoxia in gross nodal disease. Patients with evidence of hypoxia ( > 1.2 tumor to muscle standard uptake value on 18F-FMISO) underwent repeat18F-FMISO PET around 2 weeks into radiation. Patients without pre-radiation hypoxia or with resolution of hypoxia on 18F-FMISO PET received 30Gy with 2 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy (cisplatin 100mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 1.25 x 4 with 5-fluorouracil 2400 mg/m2). Results: From 11/2/17-1/4/21, 158 HPV+ OPC patients consented and were enrolled on trial. Patient characteristics were as follows: male (90%); ages 36-80 years; T-stage T0(26), T1(77), T2(55); N stage N1(19), N2a(15), N2b(95), N2c(29). Of the 114 patients with pre-treatment hypoxia, 24 had persistent hypoxia and received 70Gy. 128 patients were de-escalated to 30Gy and chemotherapy (86% cisplatin). 6 patients withdrew from trial [3 decided to receive standard of care; 3 refused 18F-FMISO PET]. Acute mucositis rates were 11% grade 0, 59% grade 1, and 30% grade 2, respectively. Acute xerostomia rates were 92% grade 1 and 8% grade 2, respectively. Weight loss was infrequent and only 19% complained of grade 1 and 5% complained of grade 2 weight loss. Six patients experienced grade 3 adverse events (diarrhea (2), syncope (2), vasovagal (1), dysphagia (1)). No patients required PEG tubes. With a median follow-up is 12 months (range: 2 months to 40 months), the 1-year locoregional control, distant metastasis-free overall survival rates were 94%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. Among the 30Gy de-escalated patients, none failed in the primary site. 8 patients had recurrent nodal disease underwent successful salvage surgery of which no additional therapy was given to 4 patients. Conclusions: Major de-escalation to 30Gy using patient specific treatment response based on hypoxia resolution resulted in excellent locoregional control with significant toxicity reduction. Updated results along with detailed correlative analysis will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT03323463.

Postoperative PET/CT for detection of early recurrence (ER) after surgery for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the oral cavity (OC)

6060

Background: Patients with ER after surgery and prior to postoperative radiation (RT) for SCC of the OC have aggressive biology and poor prognosis. After the introduction of a PET/CT simulator in our department, we incorporated post-operative PET/CT as part of RT planning. We hypothesized PET/CT would improve detection of macroscopic disease before postoperative RT. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy between 2005 and 2019 for OC SCC. Clinicopathologic risk factors were recorded. Intermediate risk factors (IRFs) included pT3-4 disease, nodal disease, perineural invasion (PNI), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and close ( < 5mm) surgical margins (SM); extranodal extension (ENE) and positive SM were considered high-risk factors (HRF). Patients were stratified into risk groups based upon the number and type of risk factors: 0-1 IRFs, 2 IRFs, ≥3 IRFs, and any HRF. Patients were considered to have ER if they had biopsy confirmed recurrence, or if the imaging or exam was sufficiently suspicious, after discussion with the head and neck team, to warrant treatment to definitive doses of RT (70 Gy). Results: Our cohort included 391 patients with SCC of the OCC who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. 61% of patients were male, 35% had pT3-4 disease, 36% had pN2a-3 disease, 53% had PNI, 20% had LVI, 30% had ENE, and 14% had positive SM. The most common sites were oral tongue (46%), alveolar ridge (18%), and buccal mucosa (13%). 237 (61%) patients underwent postoperative PET/CT planning, and 165 patients (41%) were planned with CT only. Patients screened with post-operative PET/CT were more likely to be diagnosed with ER (46/237, 19.4%) than those simulated with CT only (6/154, 3.9%, p < 0.0001). Among patients simulated with PET/CT, 7%, 9%, 14%, and 35% of patients were diagnosed with ER for patients with 0-1 IRFs, 2 IRFs, ≥3 IRFs, and any HRF, respectively. Median follow-up was 4.1 years (95% CI 3.6 – 4.5). Among 52 patients with ER, 24 (49.0%) had local, 41 (83.7%) had regional, and 5 (10.2%) had distant recurrence. 17 (33%) of ER were biopsy proven. For patients with ER, 3-year freedom from locoregional recurrence, distant-metastasis free survival, and overall survival were 45.2% (95% CI 32% - 64%), 55% (95% CI 42% – 72%), and 43% (95% CI 30% - 61%), respectively. For patients without ER, use of postoperative PET/CT was associated with improved disease-free survival (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46 – 0.98, p = 0.041) and overall survival (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.38 – 0.91, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Postoperative PET/CT may increase detection ER compared to CT simulation alone and improve risk stratification. Patients with ER are at high risk of locoregional failure, distant metastases, and mortality, despite salvage therapy. A prospective trial is underway at our institution to systemically study the role of PET/CT for detection of ER.

A phase II trial cohort of nivolumab plus ipilimumab in patients (Pts) with recurrent/metastatic salivary gland cancers (R/M SGCs)

6002

Background: R/M SGCs are a diverse group of malignant neoplasms arising from the major or minor salivary glands and have no standard treatment. The impact of combining PD-1/CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade in R/M SGCs is unknown. Methods: In a Simon's two-stage minimax phase II trial, pts with progressive R/M SGCs (any histology except adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC)) were enrolled and treated with nivolumab 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks (1 cycle = 6 weeks). Imaging, using RECIST v1.1 response assessment, was scheduled to be performed approximately every 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was best overall response (BOR = complete response [CR]+partial response [PR]) per RECIST v1.1. To detect a difference between an unacceptable BOR of 5% and a desirable BOR of 20% (one-sided type I error of 10%, power of 90%), at least 1 in the first 18 pts required an observed response. At least 4 responses of 32 total pts were needed to meet the primary endpoint. Treatment beyond progression of disease (PD) was allowed at the discretion of the investigator. A second cohort of pts with ACC was analyzed and reported separately. Results: From 7/25/2017-7/16/2020, 32 pts were enrolled and evaluable for the primary endpoint. There was 3 confirmed PRs in the first 18 pts, therefore enrollment of the second stage continued. BOR rate was 16% (5/32). Seven pts never reached a first disease assessment and were classified as non-responders: 5 due to clinical PD, 1 due to toxicity, and 1 pt withdrew. Four pts discontinued the trial for toxicities: pancytopenia (1), blurry vision (1), cardiomyopathy/hyperglycemia (1), and neutropenic sepsis (1), and mucositis (1). The 5 confirmed responders had regressions ranging from -66% to -100% in target lesions, with a duration of therapy ranging from 15.7 to 29.5 months (treatment ongoing for one as of 2/6/20). Conclusions: This cohort met its primary endpoint, and the responses observed were dramatic and durable. Paired biopsy and peripheral blood samples will be analyzed to elucidate insights into mechanisms of response and resistance to dual checkpoint blockade. Clinical trial information: NCT03172624.

Supportive Care in Head and Neck Cancers: Multidisciplinary Management

Patients with head and neck cancer experience a broad array of negative quality-of-life issues, but particularly common are dental complications following radiation therapy, and compromised nutrition with significant weight loss. At the NCCN 2021 Virtual Annual Conference, a panel of experts used a case-based approach to discuss some of these common adverse effects of head and neck cancer and its treatment, as well as optimal supportive care strategies to manage them.

Any day, split halfway: Flexibility in scheduling high-dose cisplatin-A large retrospective review from a high-volume cancer center

High-dose (HD) cisplatin remains the standard of care with chemoradiation for locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Cooperative group trials mandate bolus-HD (100 mg/m²  × 1 day, every 3 weeks) cisplatin administration at the beginning of the week to optimize radiosensitization-a requirement which may be unnecessary. This analysis evaluates the impact of chemotherapy administration day of week (DOW) on outcomes. We also report our institutional experience with an alternate dosing schedule, split-HD (50 mg/m²  × 2 days, every 3 weeks). We retrospectively reviewed 435 definitive chemoradiation OPC patients from 10 December 2001 to 23 December 2014. Those receiving non-HD cisplatin regimens or induction chemotherapy were excluded. Data collected included DOW, dosing schedule (bolus-HD vs split-HD), smoking, total cumulative dose (TCD), stage, Karnofsky Performance Status, human papillomavirus status and creatinine (baseline, peak and posttreatment baseline). Local failure (LF), regional failure (RF), locoregional failure (LRF), distant metastasis (DM), any failure (AF, either LRF or DM) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from radiation therapy start. Median follow-up was 8.0 years (1.8 months-17.0 years). DOW, dosing schedule and TCD were not associated with any outcomes in univariable or multivariable regression models. There was no statistically significant difference in creatinine or association with TCD in split-HD vs bolus-HD. There was no statistically significant association between DOW and outcomes, suggesting that cisplatin could be administered any day. Split-HD had no observed differences in outcomes, renal toxicity or TCD compared to bolus-HD cisplatin. Our data suggest that there is some flexibility of when and how to give HD cisplatin compared to clinical trial mandates.

Case study of the integration of electronic patient-reported outcomes as standard of care in a head and neck oncology practice: Obstacles and opportunities

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) allow for the direct measurement of functional and psychosocial effects related to treatment. However, technological barriers, survey fatigue, and clinician adoption have hindered the meaningful integration of PROs into clinical care. The objective of the authors was to develop an electronic PROs (ePROs) program that meets a range of clinical needs across a head and neck multidisciplinary disease management team.

METHODS

The authors developed the ePROs module using literature review and stakeholder input in collaboration with health informatics. They designed an ePROs platform that was integrated as the standard of care for personalized survey delivery by diagnosis across the disease management team. Tableau software was used to create dashboards for data visualization and monitoring at the clinical enterprise, disease subsite, and patient levels. All patients who were treated for head and neck cancer were eligible for ePROs assessment as part of the standard of care. A descriptive analysis of ePROs program implementation is presented herein.

RESULTS

The Head and Neck Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has integrated ePROs into clinical care. Surveys are delivered via the patient portal at the time of diagnosis and longitudinally through care. From August 1, 2018, to February 1, 2020, a total of 4154 patients completed ePROs surveys. The average patient participation rate was 69%, with a median time for completion of 5 minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Integration of the head and neck ePROs program as part of clinical care is feasible and could be used to assess value and counsel patients in the future. Continued qualitative assessments of stakeholders and workflow will refine content and enhance the health informatics platform.

LAY SUMMARY

Patients with head and neck cancer experience significant changes in their quality of life after treatment. Measuring and integrating patient-reported outcomes as a part of clinical care have been challenging given the multimodal treatment options, vast subsites, and unique domains affected. The authors present a case study of the successful integration of electronic patient-reported outcomes into a high-volume head and neck cancer practice.

Genetic basis of SMARCB1 protein loss in 22 sinonasal carcinomas

SMARCB1-deficient sinonasal carcinoma (SNC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by INI1 loss mostly owing to homozygous SMARCB1 deletion. With the exception of a few reported cases, these tumors have not been thoroughly studied by massive parallel sequencing (MPS). A retrospective cohort of 22 SMARCB1-deficient SNCs were studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (n = 9), targeted exome MPS (n = 12), and Fraction and Allele-Specific Copy Number Estimates from Tumor Sequencing (FACETS) (n = 10), a bioinformatics pipeline for copy number/zygosity assessment. SMARCB1-deficient SNC was found in 13 (59%) men and 9 (41%) women. Most common growth patterns were the basaloid pattern (59%), occurring mostly in men (77%), and plasmacytoid/eosinophilic/rhabdoid pattern (23%), arising mostly in women (80%). The former group was significantly younger (median age = 46 years, range = 24-54, vs 79 years, range = 66-95, p < 0.0001). Clear cell, pseudoglandular, glandular, spindle cell, and sarcomatoid features were variably present. SMARCB1-deficient SNC expressed cytokeratin (100%), p63 (72%), neuroendocrine markers (52%), CDX-2 (44%), S-100 (25%), CEA (4/4 cases), Hepatocyte (2/2 cases), and aberrant nuclear β-catenin (1/1 case). SMARCB1 showed homozygous deletion (68%), hemizygous deletion (16%), or truncating mutations associated with copy neutral loss of heterozygosity (11%). Coexisting genetic alterations were 22q loss including loss of NF2 and CHEK2 (50%), chromosome 7 gain (25%), and TP53 V157F, CDKN2A W110∗, and CTNNB1 S45F mutations. At 2 years and 5 years, the disease-specific survival and disease-free survival were 70% and 35% and 13% and 0%, respectively. SMARCB1-deficient SNCs are phenotypically and genetically diverse, and these distinctions warrant further investigation for their biological and clinical significance.

The 3 Bs of cancer care amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis: "Be safe, be smart, be kind"-A multidisciplinary approach increasing the use of radiation and embracing telemedicine for head and neck cancer

Because of the national emergency triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, government-mandated public health directives have drastically changed not only social norms but also the practice of oncologic medicine. Timely head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment must be prioritized, even during emergencies. Because severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 predominantly resides in the sinonasal/oral/oropharyngeal tracts, nonessential mucosal procedures are restricted, and HNCs are being triaged toward nonsurgical treatments when cures are comparable. Consequently, radiation utilization will likely increase during this pandemic. Even in radiation oncology, standard in-person and endoscopic evaluations are being restrained to limit exposure risks and preserve personal protective equipment for other frontline workers. The authors have implemented telemedicine and multidisciplinary conferences to continue to offer standard-of-care HNC treatments during this uniquely challenging time. Because of the lack of feasibility data on telemedicine for HNC, they report their early experience at a high-volume cancer center at the domestic epicenter of the COVID-19 crisis.

Head and Neck Cancers, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Treatment is complex for patients with head and neck (H&N) cancers with specific site of disease, stage, and pathologic findings guiding treatment decision-making. Treatment planning for H&N cancers involves a multidisciplinary team of experts. This article describes supportive care recommendations in the NCCN Guidelines for Head and Neck Cancers, as well as the rationale supporting a new section on imaging recommendations for patients with H&N cancers. This article also describes updates to treatment recommendations for patients with very advanced H&N cancers and salivary gland tumors, specifically systemic therapy recommendations.

A phase I/II study of HB-201, an arenavirus-based cancer immunotherapy, alone, or in combination with anti-PD-1 in patients with HPV16+ cancers

TPS3171

Background: Human Papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is linked to several cancer types; treatment options are limited for patients with HPV16+ recurrent or metastatic cancers. The generation and maintenance of the HPV16+ malignant state requires the stable expression of HPV16-specific E7 and E6 oncogenes, which can also serve as immunogenic tumor-associated antigens. HB-201 is a replication-competent live-attenuated vector based on the arenavirus LCMV encoding a non-oncogenic E7 and E6 fusion protein. In preclinical models, both intravenously (IV) and intratumorally (IT) administered HB-201 demonstrate potent immunogenicity by induction of HPV16-specific cytotoxic T cells and associated efficacy. Methods: This is a first in human, Phase I/II study of HB-201 monotherapy or in combination with PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1) in HPV16+ confirmed recurrent/metastatic cancers. Phase I consists of 2 treatment groups, each conducted with a 3+3 dose escalation design. Group 1 is enrolling patients with HPV16+ head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who will receive HB-201 IV only. Group 2 is enrolling HPV16+ cancer patients with a safely accessible tumor site who will receive HB-201 IT for the first dose, followed by HB-201 IV for subsequent doses (IT-IV). HB-201 will be administered every 21 days. The Phase II component will be conducted with the recommended Phase II doses (RP2Ds) defined in Phase I and will consist of 3 groups: Group A (HB-201 IV only), Group B (HB-201 IV plus anti-PD-1), and Group C (HB-201 IT-IV). Key eligibility criteria include age > 18, ECOG performance status 0-1, confirmed HPV16+ recurrent or metastatic cancer, disease progression from at least 1 systemic standard of care therapy, and measurable disease per RECIST v1.1. The Phase I primary objective is to determine RP2Ds for IV and IT HB-201. The Phase II primary objective is to assess antitumor activity. Secondary endpoints for both phases include safety, tolerability, overall survival, progression-free survival, and duration of response. Exploratory objectives include characterization of immunogenicity of HB-201 and biomarkers associated with immune or antitumor response. Enrollment to Groups 1 and 2 began in December 2019. Clinical trial information: NCT04180215 .

Radioiodine (RAI) in combination with durvalumab for recurrent/metastatic thyroid cancers

6587

Background: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has limited efficacy for radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer. The high incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease and ICB-induced hypothyroidism suggests that loss of T cell tolerance to thyroid protein epitopes is common and can be activated by ICB to induce immune responses. We hypothesize that RAI can enhance presentation of thyroid protein immunogens and putative neoantigens in thyroid cancers to amplify the effectiveness of ICB. We studied the safety and efficacy of RAI plus the anti-PD-L1 agent durvalumab (durva) in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) patients (pts). Methods: Pts. had at least one RAI-avid tumor on the most recent RAI scan or one tumor on FDG PET with an SUVmax < 10. RECIST measurable disease was required. Any number of prior therapies was allowed. Pts were treated with durva 1500 mg IV every 4 weeks with recombinant human TSH (rhTSH)-stimulated RAI (100 mCi) administered in Cycle 1. Treatment beyond progression was allowed. The primary objective was to assess safety. Durva related dose limiting toxicities (DLTs) were monitored for 6 weeks after the first dose. Since no durva DLTs were observed in the first 6 pts, per protocol rules the trial accrued 11 pts total. Secondary objectives were assessing best overall response (BOR) per RECIST and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: 11 pts (7 female) were enrolled. Eight had prior drug therapy. No DLTs or > Grade 3 durva related adverse events (AEs) were observed. The most common non-laboratory AEs (regardless of attribution) were cough (7), hypertension (7), pain (6), edema (5), and fatigue/nausea/diarrhea/arthralgia/dry skin/dyspnea/edema (4 each). As of 2/6/20, 2 had partial response, 7 stable disease, and 2 progression of disease as BOR. Six pts had tumor regression. Four pts received treatment for > 6 months. Six are still on treatment. Analyses of research biopsies (bxs) (8 had pre-treatment bxs, 6 had an additional on-treatment bx) will be presented. Conclusions: Durva plus RAI is safe and well tolerated. The preliminary efficacy signal in this small cohort is promising. Understanding how RAI plus PD-L1 targeting impacts the tumor immune microenvironment may guide how RAI should be evaluated in future ICB trials. Clinical trial information: NCT03215095 .

A phase I/Ib study of lenvatinib and cetuximab in patients with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)

6541

Background: Despite overexpression of EGFR in HNSCC, cetuximab monotherapy has limited benefit. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) signaling is a known resistance mechanism to EGFR inhibition. Lenvatinib is a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (RTKI) and has unique activity against FGFR 1,2,3, and 4. We are evaluating inhibition of EGFR and RTKs including FGFR through the combination of cetuximab and lenvatinib in patients (pts) with R/M HNSCC. Methods: In this phase I/Ib, single-institution study, pts with measurable disease per RECIST v1.1 that is incurable with surgery and radiation are eligible regardless of prior cetuximab therapy. The dose de-escalation phase included pts with HNSCC and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) treated with standard cetuximab dosing and lenvatinib in 3 potential dose levels (DL): (0) 24mg, (-1) 20mg, (-2) 14mg oral daily in a standard 3+3 design. The primary objective was to determine the MTD of lenvatinib in combination with cetuximab. The expansion phase included an additional 5 pts with HNSCC treated at the MTD. Exploratory endpoints include ORR and PFS in HNSCC pts treated at the MTD. Results: 12 evaluable pts were treated on the dose de-escalation phase. There were no DLTs on DL 0; however, 3/6 pts were removed immediately following the 28-day DLT period due to toxicity that included extensive thrombotic events and athlerosclerotic disease. On DL -1, 0/6 pts (5 HNSCC/1 cSCC) had a DLT establishing lenvatinib 20mg daily as the MTD. 7 pts were enrolled onto the expansion phase; 4 are currently evaluable for response and 2 are unevaluable because of withdrawal due to a cetuximab reaction and required surgery. Of the 9 evaluable HNSCC pts treated with lenvatinib 20mg daily, 6 pts had a PR with a 67% ORR. For the 8 pts who have completed treatment, the median PFS is 3.6 months (range 1.6-10.4). Grade 3 AEs regardless of attribution included hypertension (3), oral mucositis (3) and oral cavity fistula (1). The most common AEs were acneiform rash (7), fatigue (6), and hypertension/hypothyroidism/oral mucositis (5 each). Conclusions: The MTD of lenvatinib 20mg daily with cetuximab appears to be active in R/M HSNCC with an impressive preliminary ORR, warranting further evaluation of the efficacy of this combination. Clinical trial information: NCT03524326 .

Platinum-based regimens versus cetuximab in definitive chemoradiation for human papillomavirus-unrelated head and neck cancer

For patients ineligible for cisplatin with definitive radiotherapy (CP-CRT) for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC), concurrent cetuximab (C225-RT) is a popular substitute. Carboplatin-based chemoradiation (CB-CRT) is another option; however, relative efficacies of CP-CRT, CB-CRT and C225-RT are unclear, particularly in the human papillomavirus (HPV)-unrelated population. We identified 316 patients with stage III-IVB cancers of the oropharynx (24.7%), larynx (58.2%) and hypopharynx (17.1%) undergoing definitive C225-RT (N = 61), CB-CRT (N = 74) or CP-CRT (N = 181). Kaplan-Meier and cumulative incidence functions were generated to estimate overall survival (OS), locoregional failure (LRF) and distant metastasis (DM). Cox proportional hazards were used to determine the association of survival endpoints with clinical characteristics. Respectively, 3-year cumulative incidences for CP-CRT, CB-CRT and C225-RT were: LRF (0.19, 0.18 and 0.48, p ≤ 0.001), DM (0.17, 0.12 and 0.25, p = 0.32). Kaplan-Meier estimates for 3 year OS were: CP-CRT: 71%; CB-CRT: 59% and C225-RT: 54%; p = 0.0094. CP-CRT (hazard ratio [HR] 0.336; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.203-0.557, p < 0.01) and CB-CRT (HR 0.279; 95% CI 0.141-0.551, p < 0.01) were associated with reduced hazard for LRF on multivariable analysis. CP-CRT (HR 0.548; 95% CI 0.355-0.845, p < 0.01) and CB-CRT (HR 0.549; 95% CI 0.334-0.904, p = 0.02) were associated with a reduced hazard for death on multivariable analysis. Propensity matching confirmed reduced hazards with a combined CP/CB-CRT group compared to C225-RT for LRF: HR 0.384 (p = 0.018) and OS: HR 0.557 (p = 0.045) and CB-CRT group compared to C225-RT for LRF: HR 0.427 (p = 0.023). In conclusion, CB-CRT is an effective alternative to CP-CRT in HPV-unrelated LA-HNSCC with superior locoregional control and OS compared to C225-RT.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Head and Neck Cancers, Version 1.2018

The NCCN Guidelines for Head and Neck (H&N) Cancers provide treatment recommendations for cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, ethmoid and maxillary sinuses, and salivary glands. Recommendations are also provided for occult primary of the H&N, and separate algorithms have been developed by the panel for very advanced H&N cancers. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel's discussion and most recent recommendations regarding evaluation and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Phase 2 study of vascular endothelial growth factor trap for the treatment of metastatic thyroid cancer

BACKGROUND

Several multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have demonstrated activity in patients with thyroid cancer that is refractory to radioactive iodine (RAI). The antitumor effect is attributed at least in part to the ability of these TKIs to inhibit angiogenesis in these vascular tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Trap (VT) is a recombinantly produced fusion protein consisting solely of human sequences for VEGF receptors 1 and 2 extracellular domains and human immunoglobulin 1. Evaluating VT in patients with thyroid cancer is reasonable considering the activity observed with TKIs targeting VEGF.

METHODS

The current study was a single-institution, phase 2, Simon 2-stage design (21 to >41 patients) study based on the objective response rate and/or 6-month progression-free survival as the primary endpoints. Eligible patients were required to have progressive, RAI-refractory and/or [¹⁸ F]fludeoxyglucose-avid, recurrent and/or metastatic, nonmedullary, nonanaplastic thyroid cancer; disease that was measurable using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria; and adequate organ and bone marrow function. VT at a dose of 4 mg/kg intravenously was administered every 14 days.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 24 had papillary thyroid cancer, 2 had follicular thyroid cancer, and 11 had Hurthle cell thyroid cancer. The final 3 tumors were classified as poorly differentiated. There were no complete and/or partial responses noted; 34 patients achieved stable disease and 6 patients experienced disease progression as their best response. Of the 34 patients with stable disease, 16 remained on the study for >6 months and 6 patients remained on the study for >12 months. The median duration on treatment was 4.1 months (range, 0.6-30.8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike TKIs, which have shown responses in this setting, to the authors' knowledge there have been no responses observed with the use of single-agent VT to date. It does not appear to be a promising drug for the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer.

Tabelecleucel in combination with pembrolizumab (Pembro) in platinum-pretreated, recurrent/metastatic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma (EBV+NPC)

TPS6092

Background: Approximately 25% of patients (pts) with NPC develop RM disease, which has a poor prognosis (median overall survival [mOS]: 12–16 mo), despite standard treatments with radiation and/or chemotherapy. NPC is an EBV-associated cancer in which programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is upregulated upon EBV activation. Pembro showed antitumor activity in a phase 1b study of pts with RM-NPC (objective response rate [ORR]: 26%; mOS: 16.5 mo) (Hsu, J Clin Oncol 2017;35:4050-56). Targeting RM EBV+ NPC with tab-cel immunotherapy (off-the-shelf, allogeneic EBV-specific T cells) in pts has also shown promise, with 2-yr OS rates of 84% (Prockop, ASCO 2016;34:3012). The favorable safety profile of tab-cel offers the opportunity for combination immunotherapy with pembro for increased efficacy. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, single-arm phase 1b/2 study evaluates safety and efficacy of tab-cel in combination with pembro. Study participants are ≥12 yrs of age with incurable, locally recurrent or metastatic EBV+ NPC previously treated with platinum-containing therapy. Pts are checkpoint-inhibitor naïve (phase 1b/2) or refractory to anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy (phase 1b). Tab-cel is selected from a bank based on matching ≥2 HLA alleles, including ≥1 restricting HLA allele, between pts and donors. Tab-cel will be administered intravenously (IV) on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 21-day cycle. Initial tab-cel dose is 2x106 cells/kg and the de-escalated tab-cel dose (if needed) is 1x106 cells/kg. Pembro is administered at 200 mg IV Q3W in adults and 2 mg/kg IV Q3W in pts aged 12 to 17 yrs. Primary outcomes of phase 1b are to characterize dose-limiting toxicities, identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) or in the absence of MTD, the recommended phase 2 dose, and assess safety. Primary outcomes for phase 2 are ORR and safety. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, OS, and duration of response. Enrollment is ongoing for 12-24 participants in the phase 1b portion of the study with a 6+6 design. Phase 2 is expected to enroll 36 pts. Clinical trial information: NCT03769467.