Near complete response to a pembrolizumab-based therapeutic strategy in an abdominal metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma case. Issue 6 (30th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Taowei; Liang, Faya; Lin, Peiliang; Li, Yangyang; Huang, Xiaoming; Han, Ping
• Is Part Of: Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics. Volume 18:Issue 6(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-30
• Subjects: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma -- hepatic metastases -- immunotherapy -- response -- immune-related adverse events; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2093075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-5515

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma rarely occurs in hepatic cancer and has a poor prognosis (median survival of 4 months). The efficacy of immunotherapy for these patients remains unknown. Herein, we present a patient with hypopharyngeal carcinoma metastasis to the liver with TERT and TP53 mutations together with a combined positive score of 70. The tumor invaded the abdominal wall, liver, inferior vena cava and retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The patient was treated with pembrolizumab combined with cisplatin and 5-FU for four cycles and has been maintained on pembrolizumab monotherapy until now. The patient achieved a near complete response of hepatic and subcutaneous metastases, and the tumor thrombus disappeared completely. The patient developed grade I rashes on the trunk, which were considered immune-related adverse events; thus, the patient presented a significant tumor response and good tolerance to the therapeutic strategy. On the basis of this observation, pembrolizumab-based therapeutic strategies may be an effective alternative for metastatic hypopharyngeal carcinoma and may prolong overall survival and progression-free survival, which should be confirmed by more patients in the future. Immune-related adverse events also need attention.