Safety and efficacy of cetuximab-containing chemotherapy after immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a single-center retrospective study. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kurosaki, Takashi; Mitani, Seiichiro; Tanaka, Kaoru; Suzuki, Shinichiro; Kanemura, Hiroaki; Haratani, Koji; Fumita, Soichi; Iwasa, Tsutomu; Hayashi, Hidetoshi; Yoshida, Takeshi; Ishikawa, Kazuki; Kitano, Mutsukazu; Otsuki, Naoki; Nishimura, Yasumasa; Doi, Katsumi; Nakagawa, Kazuhiko
• Is Part Of: Anti-cancer drugs. Volume 32:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody -- cetuximab -- immune checkpoint inhibitor -- salvage chemotherapy -- squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Antineoplastic agents -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Antineoplastic Agents -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Drug Therapy -- Periodicals; 616.994061
• DOI: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000001006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-4973

Abstract

Abstract : Immunotherapy has been shown to prolong survival in recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) in front-line use; however, subsequent systemic therapy has not been optimized. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cetuximab-containing chemotherapy after immunotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN who underwent cetuximab-containing regimens after progression on immunotherapy. Of the 22 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 21 received paclitaxel and cetuximab, and 1 carboplatin and fluorouracil and cetuximab after immunotherapy. Nine patients achieved a partial response, 10 patients had stable disease as their best response on cetuximab-containing chemotherapy, yielding an overall response rate and disease control rate of 40.9 and 86.4%, respectively. The median progression-free survival was 5.2 months, and the median overall survival was 14.5 months. Ten patients developed grade 3–4 adverse events, including neutropenia (31.8%), acneiform rash (9.1%), anemia (4.5%), hypertransaminasemia (4.5%) and stomatitis (4.5%). The most frequent cetuximab-related toxicities across all grades were skin reactions (77.3%), hypomagnesemia (40.9%), stomatitis (27.3%), paronychia (13.6%) and keratitis (4.5%). There was no treatment-related death. Taken together, cetuximab-containing chemotherapy was effective and feasible even after immunotherapy.