Systemic treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: what is the best therapeutic sequence?. Issue 3 (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saada-Bouzid, Esma; Peyrade, Frederic; Guigay, Joël
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in oncology. Volume 34:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: anti-Programmed Death 1 -- checkpoint inhibitor -- chemotherapy -- head and neck cancers -- therapeutic sequence; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000834
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-8746

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose of review: The treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients is revolutionized by the advent of anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors. Recent findings: Indeed, Pembrolizumab is approved as monotherapy or used in combination with platin and fluorouracil for first-line patients with tumors expressing PD-L1. Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab are also approved in second line of recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Moreover, the substitution of fluorouracil for a taxane in the TPEx regimen has shown improvement in safety profile when compared with EXTREME regimen. Summary: Here we carry out a review of the main results of pivotal trials and discuss the pros and cons of the three possible scenarios when considering the therapeutic sequence (first and second line).