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Kono M, Wakisaka R, Komatsuda H, Hayashi R, Kumai T, Yamaki H, Sato R, Nagato T, Ohkuri T, Kosaka A, Ohara K, Kishibe K, Kobayashi H, Hayashi T, Takahara M. Immunotherapy targeting tumor-associated antigen in a mouse model of head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2024; 46:2056-2067. [PMID: 38390628 DOI: 10.1002/hed.27703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The identification of epitope peptides from tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) is informative for developing tumor-specific immunotherapy. However, only a few epitopes have been detected in mouse TAAs of head and neck cancer (HNSCC). METHODS Novel mouse c-Met-derived T-cell epitopes were predicted by computer-based algorithms. Mouse HNSCC cell line-bearing mice were treated with a c-Met peptide vaccine. The effects of CD8 and/or CD4 T-cell depletion, and vaccine combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) were evaluated. Tumor re-inoculation was performed to assess T-cell memory. RESULTS We identified c-Met-derived short and long epitopes that elicited c-Met-reactive antitumor CD8 and/or CD4 T-cell responses. Vaccination using these peptides showed remarkable antitumor responses via T cells in which ICIs were not required. The c-Met peptide-vaccinated mice rejected the re-inoculated tumors. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that novel c-Met peptide vaccines can induce antitumor T-cell response, and could be a potent immunotherapy in a syngeneic mouse HNSCC model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hidekiyo Yamaki
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Nagato
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Takayuki Ohkuri
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Akemi Kosaka
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kenzo Ohara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Kan Kishibe
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroya Kobayashi
- Department of Pathology, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hayashi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan
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2
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Kim M, Shim HS, Kim S, Lee IH, Kim J, Yoon S, Kim HD, Park I, Jeong JH, Yoo C, Cheon J, Kim IH, Lee J, Hong SH, Park S, Jung HA, Kim JW, Kim HJ, Cha Y, Lim SM, Kim HS, Lee CK, Kim JH, Chun SH, Yun J, Park SY, Lee HS, Cho YM, Nam SJ, Na K, Yoon SO, Lee A, Jang KT, Yun H, Lee S, Kim JH, Kim WS. Clinical Practice Recommendations for the Use of Next-Generation Sequencing in Patients with Solid Cancer: A Joint Report from KSMO and KSP. Cancer Res Treat 2024; 56:721-742. [PMID: 38037319 PMCID: PMC11261187 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2023.1043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Sup Shim
- Department of Pathology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sheehyun Kim
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - In Hee Lee
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jihun Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shinkyo Yoon
- Department of Oncology,Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung-Don Kim
- Department of Oncology,Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Inkeun Park
- Department of Oncology,Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Ho Jeong
- Department of Oncology,Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Changhoon Yoo
- Department of Oncology,Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaekyung Cheon
- Department of Oncology,Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Ho Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jieun Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sook Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sehhoon Park
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Ae Jung
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Han Jo Kim
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Yongjun Cha
- Division of Medical Oncology, Center for Colorectal Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Han Sang Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Choong-kun Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee Hung Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Chun
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jina Yun
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - So Yeon Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Hye Seung Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Mee Cho
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo Jeong Nam
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kiyong Na
- Department of Pathology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Och Yoon
- Department of Pathology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ahwon Lee
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kee-Taek Jang
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hongseok Yun
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungyoung Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Wan-Seop Kim
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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3
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Kim M, Shim HS, Kim S, Lee IH, Kim J, Yoon S, Kim HD, Park I, Jeong JH, Yoo C, Cheon J, Kim IH, Lee J, Hong SH, Park S, Jung HA, Kim JW, Kim HJ, Cha Y, Lim SM, Kim HS, Lee CK, Kim JH, Chun SH, Yun J, Park SY, Lee HS, Cho YM, Nam SJ, Na K, Yoon SO, Lee A, Jang KT, Yun H, Lee S, Kim JH, Kim WS. Clinical practice recommendations for the use of next-generation sequencing in patients with solid cancer: a joint report from KSMO and KSP. J Pathol Transl Med 2024; 58:147-164. [PMID: 39026440 PMCID: PMC11261170 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2023.11.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based genetic testing has become crucial in cancer care. While its primary objective is to identify actionable genetic alterations to guide treatment decisions, its scope has broadened to encompass aiding in pathological diagnosis and exploring resistance mechanisms. With the ongoing expansion in NGS application and reliance, a compelling necessity arises for expert consensus on its application in solid cancers. To address this demand, the forthcoming recommendations not only provide pragmatic guidance for the clinical use of NGS but also systematically classify actionable genes based on specific cancer types. Additionally, these recommendations will incorporate expert perspectives on crucial biomarkers, ensuring informed decisions regarding circulating tumor DNA panel testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miso Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyo Sup Shim
- Department of Pathology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sheehyun Kim
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - In Hee Lee
- Department of Oncology/Hematology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jihun Kim
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Shinkyo Yoon
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung-Don Kim
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Inkeun Park
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Ho Jeong
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Changhoon Yoo
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaekyung Cheon
- Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Ho Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jieun Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sook Hee Hong
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sehhoon Park
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Ae Jung
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Won Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Han Jo Kim
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Yongjun Cha
- Division of Medical Oncology, Center for Colorectal Cancer, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sun Min Lim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Han Sang Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Choong-Kun Lee
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee Hung Kim
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Chun
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jina Yun
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - So Yeon Park
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Hye Seung Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Mee Cho
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo Jeong Nam
- Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kiyong Na
- Department of Pathology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Och Yoon
- Department of Pathology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ahwon Lee
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kee-Taek Jang
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hongseok Yun
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sungyoung Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jee Hyun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Wan-Seop Kim
- Department of Pathology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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4
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Agelaki S, Boukovinas I, Athanasiadis I, Trimis G, Dimitriadis I, Poughias L, Morais E, Sabale U, Bencina G, Athanasopoulos C. A systematic literature review of the human papillomavirus prevalence in locally and regionally advanced and recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancers through the last decade: The "ALARM" study. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6916. [PMID: 38247106 PMCID: PMC10905345 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this systematic literature review was to provide updated information on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence in locally and regionally advanced (LA) and recurrent/metastatic (RM) head and neck cancer (HNC) worldwide. METHODS Electronic searches were conducted on clinicaltrials.gov, MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and ASCO/ESMO journals of congresses for interventional studies (IS; Phase I-III trials) as well as MEDLINE and Embase for non-interventional studies (NIS) of LA/RM HNC published between January 01, 2010 and December 31, 2020. Criteria for study selection included: availability of HPV prevalence data for LA/RM HNC patients, patient enrollment from January 01, 2010 onward, and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) included among HNC types. HPV prevalence per study was calculated as proportion of HPV+ over total number of enrolled patients. For overall HPV prevalence across studies, mean of reported HPV prevalence rates across studies and pooled estimate (sum of all HPV+ patients over sum of all patients enrolled) were assessed. RESULTS Eighty-one studies (62 IS; 19 NIS) were included, representing 9607 LA/RM HNC cases, with an overall mean (pooled) HPV prevalence of 32.6% (25.1%). HPV prevalence was 44.7% (44.0%) in LA and 24.3% (18.6%) in RM. Among 2714 LA/RM OPC patients from 52 studies with available data, mean (pooled) value was 55.8% (50.7%). The majority of data were derived from Northern America and Europe, with overall HPV prevalence of 46.0% (42.1%) and 24.7% (25.3%) across studies conducted exclusively in these geographic regions, respectively (Northern Europe: 31.9% [63.1%]). A "p16-based" assay was the most frequently reported HPV detection methodology (58.0%). CONCLUSION Over the last decade, at least one quarter of LA/RM HNC and half of OPC cases studied in IS and NIS were HPV+. This alarming burden is consistent with a potential implication of HPV in the pathogenesis of at least a subgroup of HNC, underscoring the relevance of HPV testing and prophylaxis to HNC prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Agelaki
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of MedicineUniversity of CreteHerakleionGreece
- Department of Medical OncologyUniversity General Hospital of HerakleionHerakleionGreece
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Edith Morais
- MSD, Center for Observational and Real‐World Evidence (CORE)LyonFrance
| | - Ugne Sabale
- MSD, Center for Observational and Real‐World Evidence (CORE)StockholmSweden
| | - Goran Bencina
- MSD, Center for Observational and Real‐World Evidence (CORE)MadridSpain
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5
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Silva JPN, Pinto B, Monteiro L, Silva PMA, Bousbaa H. Combination Therapy as a Promising Way to Fight Oral Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1653. [PMID: 37376101 PMCID: PMC10301495 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oral cancer is a highly aggressive tumor with invasive properties that can lead to metastasis and high mortality rates. Conventional treatment strategies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, alone or in combination, are associated with significant side effects. Currently, combination therapy has become the standard practice for the treatment of locally advanced oral cancer, emerging as an effective approach in improving outcomes. In this review, we present an in-depth analysis of the current advancements in combination therapies for oral cancer. The review explores the current therapeutic options and highlights the limitations of monotherapy approaches. It then focuses on combinatorial approaches that target microtubules, as well as various signaling pathway components implicated in oral cancer progression, namely, DNA repair players, the epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclin-dependent kinases, epigenetic readers, and immune checkpoint proteins. The review discusses the rationale behind combining different agents and examines the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of these combinations, emphasizing their ability to enhance treatment response and overcome drug resistance. Challenges and limitations associated with combination therapy are discussed, including potential toxicity and the need for personalized treatment approaches. A future perspective is also provided to highlight the existing challenges and possible resolutions toward the clinical translation of current oral cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- João P. N. Silva
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Bárbara Pinto
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Luís Monteiro
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Patrícia M. A. Silva
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
- TOXRUN—Toxicology Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Hassan Bousbaa
- UNIPRO—Oral Pathology and Rehabilitation Research Unit, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (CESPU), Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal; (J.P.N.S.); (B.P.); (L.M.)
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6
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Lang L, Chen F, Li Y, Shay C, Yang F, Dan H, Chen ZG, Saba NF, Teng Y. Adaptive c-Met-PLXDC2 Signaling Axis Mediates Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity to Confer Radioresistance-associated Aggressiveness in Head and Neck Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:659-671. [PMID: 37089864 PMCID: PMC10114932 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), yet radioresistance remains a major barrier to therapeutic efficacy. A better understanding of the predominant pathways determining radiotherapy response could help develop mechanism-informed therapies to improve cancer management. Here we report that radioresistant HNSCC cells exhibit increased tumor aggressiveness. Using unbiased proteome profiler antibody arrays, we identify that upregulation of c-Met phosphorylation is one of the critical mechanisms for radioresistance in HNSCC cells. We further uncover that radioresistance-associated HNSCC aggressiveness is effectively exacerbated by c-Met but is suppressed by its genetic knockdown and pharmacologic inactivation. Mechanistically, the resulting upregulation of c-Met promotes elevated expression of plexin domain containing 2 (PLXDC2) through activating ERK1/2-ELK1 signaling, which in turn modulates cancer cell plasticity by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induction and enrichment of the cancer stem cell (CSC) subpopulation, leading to resistance of HNSCC cells to radiotherapy. Depletion of PLXDC2 overcomes c-Met-mediated radioresistance through reversing the EMT progress and blunting the self-renewal capacity of CSCs. Therapeutically, the addition of SU11274, a selective and potent c-Met inhibitor, to radiation induces tumor shrinkage and limits tumor metastasis to lymph nodes in an orthotopic mouse model. Collectively, these significant findings not only demonstrate a novel mechanism underpinning radioresistance-associated aggressiveness but also provide a possible therapeutic strategy to target radioresistance in patients with HNSCC. Significance This work provides novel insights into c-Met-PLXDC2 signaling in radioresistance-associated aggressiveness and suggests a new mechanism-informed therapeutic strategy to overcome failure of radiotherapy in patients with HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwei Lang
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Fanghui Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Yamin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York
| | - Chloe Shay
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory, University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hancai Dan
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Zhuo G Chen
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Yong Teng
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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7
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Bauman JE, Saba NF, Roe D, Bauman JR, Kaczmar J, Bhatia A, Muzaffar J, Julian R, Wang S, Bearelly S, Baker A, Steuer C, Giri A, Burtness B, Centuori S, Caulin C, Klein R, Saboda K, Obara S, Chung CH. Randomized Phase II Trial of Ficlatuzumab With or Without Cetuximab in Pan-Refractory, Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer. J Clin Oncol 2023:JCO2201994. [PMID: 36977289 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.01994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Primary or acquired resistance to cetuximab, an antiepidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (mAb), minimizes its utility in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Aberrant hepatocyte growth factor/cMet pathway activation is an established resistance mechanism. Dual pathway targeting may overcome resistance. PATIENTS AND METHODS This multicenter, randomized, noncomparative phase II study evaluated ficlatuzumab, an antihepatocyte growth factor mAb, with or without cetuximab in recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. The primary end point was median progression-free survival (PFS); an arm met significance criteria if the lower bound of the 90% CI excluded the historical control of 2 months. Key eligibility criteria were HNSCC with known human papillomavirus (HPV) status, cetuximab resistance (progression within 6 months of exposure in the definitive or recurrent/metastatic setting), and resistance to platinum and anti-PD-1 mAb. Secondary end points included objective response rate (ORR), toxicity, and the association of HPV status and cMet overexpression with efficacy. Continuous Bayesian futility monitoring was used. RESULTS From 2018 to 2020, 60 patients were randomly assigned and 58 were treated. Twenty-seven versus 33 patients were allocated to monotherapy versus combination. Arms were balanced for major prognostic factors. The monotherapy arm closed early for futility. The combination arm met prespecified significance criteria with a median PFS of 3.7 months (lower bound 90% CI, 2.3 months; P = .04); the ORR was 6 of 32 (19%), including two complete and four partial responses. Exploratory analyses were limited to the combination arm: the median PFS was 2.3 versus 4.1 months (P = .03) and the ORR was 0 of 16 (0%) versus 6 of 16 (38%; P = .02) in the HPV-positive versus HPV-negative subgroups, respectively. cMet overexpression was associated with reduced hazard of progression in HPV-negative but not HPV-positive disease (P interaction = .02). CONCLUSION The ficlatuzumab-cetuximab arm met significance criteria for PFS and warrants phase III development. HPV-negative HNSCC merits consideration as a selection criterion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Bauman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, George Washington (GW) University and GW Cancer Center, Washington, DC
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Nabil F Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
| | - Denise Roe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UA Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Jessica R Bauman
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Temple-Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - John Kaczmar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Medicine and MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Charleston, SC
| | - Aarti Bhatia
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Jameel Muzaffar
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
| | - Ricklie Julian
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Steven Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UA College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Shethal Bearelly
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UA College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Audrey Baker
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UA College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Conor Steuer
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University and Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
| | - Anshu Giri
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Temple-Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Barbara Burtness
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT
| | - Sara Centuori
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Carlos Caulin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, UA College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Robert Klein
- Department of Pathology, UA College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Kathylynn Saboda
- Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource, UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Stefanie Obara
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine-Tucson and UA Comprehensive Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ
| | - Christine H Chung
- Department of Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
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8
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Palumbo C, Benvenuto M, Focaccetti C, Albonici L, Cifaldi L, Rufini A, Nardozi D, Angiolini V, Bei A, Masuelli L, Bei R. Recent findings on the impact of ErbB receptors status on prognosis and therapy of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1066021. [PMID: 36817764 PMCID: PMC9932042 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1066021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer type, has often an aggressive course and is poorly responsive to current therapeutic approaches, so that 5-year survival rates for patients diagnosed with advanced disease is lower than 50%. The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) has emerged as an established oncogene in HNSCC. Indeed, although HNSCCs are a heterogeneous group of cancers which differ for histological, molecular and clinical features, EGFR is overexpressed or mutated in a percentage of cases up to about 90%. Moreover, aberrant expression of the other members of the ErbB receptor family, ErbB2, ErbB3 and ErbB4, has also been reported in variable proportions of HNSCCs. Therefore, an increased expression/activity of one or multiple ErbB receptors is found in the vast majority of patients with HNSCC. While aberrant ErbB signaling has long been known to play a critical role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, metastatization and resistance to therapy, more recent evidence has revealed its impact on other features of cancer cells' biology, such as the ability to evade antitumor immunity. In this paper we will review recent findings on how ErbB receptors expression and activity, including that associated with non-canonical signaling mechanisms, impacts on prognosis and therapy of HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Palumbo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Benvenuto
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Focaccetti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Albonici
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Cifaldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,Academic Department of Pediatrics (DPUO), Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rufini
- Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, Rome, Italy,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Nardozi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Angiolini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Bei
- Medical School, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy,*Correspondence: Roberto Bei,
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9
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Li Q, Tie Y, Alu A, Ma X, Shi H. Targeted therapy for head and neck cancer: signaling pathways and clinical studies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:31. [PMID: 36646686 PMCID: PMC9842704 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01297-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is malignant, genetically complex and difficult to treat and is the sixth most frequent cancer, with tobacco, alcohol and human papillomavirus being major risk factors. Based on epigenetic data, HNC is remarkably heterogeneous, and treatment remains challenging. There is a lack of significant improvement in survival and quality of life in patients with HNC. Over half of HNC patients experience locoregional recurrence or distal metastasis despite the current multiple traditional therapeutic strategies and immunotherapy. In addition, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and some targeted therapies is common. Therefore, it is urgent to explore more effective and tolerable targeted therapies to improve the clinical outcomes of HNC patients. Recent targeted therapy studies have focused on identifying promising biomarkers and developing more effective targeted therapies. A well understanding of the pathogenesis of HNC contributes to learning more about its inner association, which provides novel insight into the development of small molecule inhibitors. In this review, we summarized the vital signaling pathways and discussed the current potential therapeutic targets against critical molecules in HNC, as well as presenting preclinical animal models and ongoing or completed clinical studies about targeted therapy, which may contribute to a more favorable prognosis of HNC. Targeted therapy in combination with other therapies and its limitations were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfang Li
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Tie
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Aqu Alu
- grid.13291.380000 0001 0807 1581Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Huashan Shi
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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10
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Sun L, Candelieri-Surette D, Anglin-Foote T, Lynch JA, Maxwell KN, D’Avella C, Singh A, Aakhus E, Cohen RB, Brody RM. Cetuximab-Based vs Carboplatin-Based Chemoradiotherapy for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2022; 148:1022-1028. [PMID: 36136306 PMCID: PMC9501776 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2022.2791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Importance Cetuximab-based and carboplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) are often used for patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who are ineligible for cisplatin. There are no prospective head-to-head data comparing cetuximab-based and carboplatin-based regimens for radiosensitization. Objective To compare survival with cetuximab-based and carboplatin-based CRT in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included US veterans who received a diagnosis of HNSCC between January 2006 and December 2020 and were treated with systemic therapy and radiation. Data cutoff was March 1, 2022 and data analysis was conducted from April-May 2022. Exposures Cisplatin, cetuximab, or carboplatin-based systemic therapy as captured in VA medication data and cancer registry. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall survival by systemic therapy was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. We used propensity score and inverse probability weighting to achieve covariate balance between cetuximab-treated and carboplatin-treated patients and used Cox regression to estimate cause-specific hazard ratios of death associated with carboplatin vs cetuximab. We also performed subgroup analyses of patients with oropharynx vs nonoropharynx primary sites. Results A total of 8290 patients (median [IQR] age, 63 [58-68] years; 8201 men [98.9%]; 1225 [15.8%] Black or African American and 6424 [82.6%] White individuals) with nonmetastatic HNSCC were treated with CRT with cisplatin (5566 [67%]), carboplatin (1231 [15%]), or cetuximab (1493 [18%]). Compared with cisplatin-treated patients, patients treated with carboplatin and cetuximab were older with worse performance status scores and higher comorbidity burden. Median (IQR) overall survival was 74.4 (22.3-162.2) months in patients treated with cisplatin radiotherapy (RT), 43.4 (15.3-123.8) months in patients treated with carboplatin RT, and 31.1 (12.4-87.8) months in patients treated with cetuximab RT. After propensity score and inverse probability weighting, carboplatin was associated with improved overall survival compared with cetuximab (cause-specific hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.93; P = .001). This difference was prominent in the oropharynx subgroup. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of a US veteran population with HNSCC undergoing treatment with CRT, almost a third of patients were ineligible to receive treatment with cisplatin and received cetuximab-based or carboplatin-based radiosensitization. After propensity score matching, carboplatin-based systemic therapy was associated with 15% improvement in overall survival compared with cetuximab, suggesting that carboplatin may be the preferred radiosensitizer, particularly in oropharynx cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lova Sun
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Tori Anglin-Foote
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Julie A. Lynch
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Kara N. Maxwell
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christopher D’Avella
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Aditi Singh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Erin Aakhus
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Roger B. Cohen
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Robert M. Brody
- Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
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11
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Liu Z, Zheng Z, Dong L, Guo X, Jia X, Wang J, Meng L, Cui X, Jiang X. Efficacy and safety of apatinib in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective multi-center study. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18327. [PMID: 36316341 PMCID: PMC9622845 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20272-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Apatinib is a novel antiangiogenic agent that targets vascular endothelial growth factor 2. The aim of our study was to explore the efficacy and safety of apatinib in the treatment of patients with recurrence or metastasis (R/M) inoperable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This multi-center retrospective study analyzed 53 cases of recurrent or metastatic inoperable HNSCC who had progressed or recurred after undergoing standard radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy treated with apatinib from March 2017 to August 2021. Patients continued apatinib until the time of disease progression or onset of intolerable adverse events. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR) and incidence of adverse events. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors. The main adverse events were counted, and the severity of the adverse reactions was evaluated. Fifty-three patients with recurrent or metastatic inoperable R/M HNSCC who had progressed or recurred after standard radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy were included. The ORR was 15.1%, and the DCR was 86.8%. The median PFS was 4.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-5.0 months) and the median OS was 6.6 months (95% CI 5.3-7.9 months). The number of apatinib lines was an influencing factor for both PFS and OS, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, tumor differentiation, and apatinib duration were only the influencing factors for OS. Of these, only the ECOG score was an independent predictor of OS. The most common adverse reactions were hypertension (39.6%), hand-foot syndrome (32.1%), fatigue (32.1%), oral ulcers (28.3%), and nausea and vomiting (20.8%). Most adverse reactions were grade 1 or 2. Apatinib mesylate has good efficacy for recurrent/metastatic inoperable HNSCC as second-line and above-line treatment. ECOG score was an independent prognostic factors of OS in patients who were treated with apatinib. In addition, the adverse effects of apatinib mesylate were relatively mild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijing Liu
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology and Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Zhuangzhuang Zheng
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology and Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Lihua Dong
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology and Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Xiao Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Xiaojing Jia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130031, China
| | - Lingbin Meng
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Xiangyan Cui
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
| | - Xin Jiang
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology and Therapy, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Radiobiology, School of Public Health of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, China.
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12
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Comparison of Second-Line Treatments for Patients with Platinum-Resistant Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184472. [PMID: 36139631 PMCID: PMC9497217 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Which second-line treatment is the optimal choice for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma remains unclear. To inform clinical decisions, we performed a network meta-analysis and systematic review to assess the relative efficacy and safety of second-line treatments for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. By synthesizing all available controlled trial evidence, PD-1 inhibitors significantly improved the overall survival, objective response rate, and treatment tolerance compared to the standard of care (docetaxel, methotrexate, or cetuximab). Afatinib presented a better progression-free survival and objective response rate than the standard of care. Compared with afatinib, PD-1 inhibitors had a better overall survival but a worse progress-free survival. Abstract Several new drugs and combination strategies can be used to treat patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the second-line treatment. Questions regarding the relative efficacy and safety of any two of the multiple second-line treatment strategies have emerged. This study aims to compare second-line treatments for patients with platinum-resistant recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify relevant articles. Direct and indirect evidence in terms of the objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events grade ≥ 3 (grade ≥ 3 trAE) were analyzed in this Bayesian network meta-analysis. A total of twenty-three trials involving 5039 patients were included. These studies compared 20 different treatments, including the standard of care (SOC: docetaxel, methotrexate, or cetuximab), PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab or pembrolizumab), durvalumab, tremelimumab, durvalumab + tremelimumab, palbociclib + SOC, tivantinib + SOC, sorafenib + SOC, EMD1201081 + SOC, vandetanib + SOC, PX-866 + SOC, 5-fluorouracil + SOC, cixutumumab + SOC, gefitinib + SOC, cabazitaxel, nolatrexed, duligotuzumab, zalutumumab, gefitinib, and afatinib. Among the currently available treatment options, compared to the standard of care (SOC: docetaxel, methotrexate, or cetuximab), the PD inhibitor significantly improved OS, ORR, and grade ≥ 3 trAE. Afatinib presented a better PFS and ORR than the SOC. Compared with afatinib, the PD-1 inhibitor had a better OS but a worse PFS. In conclusion, compared to the SOC, the PD-1 inhibitor significantly improved the OS, ORR, and grade ≥ 3 trAE. Afatinib presented a better PFS and ORR than the SOC. Compared with afatinib, the PD-1 inhibitor had a better OS but a worse PFS.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Despite a dearth of activating driver mutations in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), aberrant activation of the oncogenes, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and c-Met is near-universal in human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative disease. Although EGFR activation drove the successful development of the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab in HNSCC, no c-Met-targeting therapy has gained regulatory approval. Inhibition of the c-Met pathway may subvert oncogenesis within the tumor-intrinsic compartment, blocking tumoral proliferation, invasion, migration, and metastasis, or the tumor-extrinsic compartment, modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the rationale and current drug development strategies for targeting c-Met or its exclusive ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in HNSCC.
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14
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Griso AB, Acero-Riaguas L, Castelo B, Cebrián-Carretero JL, Sastre-Perona A. Mechanisms of Cisplatin Resistance in HPV Negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas. Cells 2022; 11:561. [PMID: 35159370 PMCID: PMC8834318 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are the eighth most common cancers worldwide. While promising new therapies are emerging, cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the gold standard for advanced HNSCCs, although most of the patients relapse due to the development of resistance. This review aims to condense the different mechanisms involved in the development of cisplatin resistance in HNSCCs and highlight future perspectives intended to overcome its related complications. Classical resistance mechanisms include drug import and export, DNA repair and oxidative stress control. Emerging research identified the prevalence of these mechanisms in populations of cancer stem cells (CSC), which are the cells mainly contributing to cisplatin resistance. The use of old and new CSC markers has enabled the identification of the characteristics within HNSCC CSCs predisposing them to treatment resistance, such as cell quiescence, increased self-renewal capacity, low reactive oxygen species levels or the acquisition of epithelial to mesenchymal transcriptional programs. In the present review, we will discuss how cell intrinsic and extrinsic cues alter the phenotype of CSCs and how they influence resistance to cisplatin treatment. In addition, we will assess how the stromal composition and the tumor microenvironment affect drug resistance and the acquisition of CSCs' characteristics through a complex interplay between extracellular matrix content as well as immune and non-immune cell characteristics. Finally, we will describe how alterations in epigenetic modifiers or other signaling pathways can alter tumor behavior and cell plasticity to induce chemotherapy resistance. The data generated in recent years open up a wide range of promising strategies to optimize cisplatin therapy, with the potential to personalize HNSCC patient treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Griso
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies and Biomarkers in Cancer, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.B.G.); (L.A.-R.)
| | - Lucía Acero-Riaguas
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies and Biomarkers in Cancer, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.B.G.); (L.A.-R.)
| | - Beatriz Castelo
- Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital La Paz, 28046 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Ana Sastre-Perona
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapies and Biomarkers in Cancer, IdiPAZ, 28046 Madrid, Spain; (A.B.G.); (L.A.-R.)
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15
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Zhao S, Wu W, Jiang H, Ma L, Pan C, Jin C, Mo J, Wang L, Wang K. Selective Inhibitor of the c-Met Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: No Beneficial Effect With the Use of Tivantinib? Front Immunol 2021; 12:731527. [PMID: 34804015 PMCID: PMC8600564 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.731527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a formidable health challenge worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of 2.4% in patients with distant metastases. The hepatocyte growth factor/cellular-mesenchymal-epithelial transition (HGF/c-Met) signaling pathway represents an encouraging therapeutic target for progressive HCC. Tivantinib, a non-adenosine triphosphate-competitive c-Met inhibitor, showed an attractive therapeutic effect on advanced HCC patients with high MET-expression in phase 2 study but failed to meet its primary endpoint of prolonging the overall survival (OS) in two phase 3 HCC clinical trials. Seven clinical trials have been registered in the "ClinicalTrials.gov" for investigating the safety and efficacy of tivantinib in treating advanced or unresectable HCC. Eight relevant studies have been published with results. The sample size ranged from 20 to 340 patients. The methods of tivantinib administration and dosage were orally 120/240/360 mg twice daily. MET overexpression was recorded at 34.6% to 100%. Two large sample phase 3 studies (the METIV-HCC study of Australia and European population and the JET-HCC study of the Japanese population) revealed that tivantinib failed to show survival benefits in advanced HCC. Common adverse events with tivantinib treatment include neutropenia, ascites, rash, and anemia, etc. Several factors may contribute to the inconsistency between the phase 2 and phase 3 studies of tivantinib, including the sample size, drug dosing, study design, and the rate of MET-High. In the future, high selective MET inhibitors combined with a biomarker-driven patient selection may provide a potentially viable therapeutic strategy for patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shankun Zhao
- Department of Urology, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Weizhou Wu
- Department of Urology, Maoming People's Hospital, Maoming, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Lei Ma
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Pan
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Chong Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Jinggang Mo
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Liezhi Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
| | - Kunpeng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, China
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Zhan ZJ, Yao WY, Zhang F, Qiu WZ, Liao K, Feng JH, Tan JY, Liu H, Yuan TZ, Zheng RH, Yuan YW. The Optimal Second-Line Systemic Treatment Model for Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:719650. [PMID: 34413862 PMCID: PMC8367750 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.719650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The optimal second-line systemic treatment model for recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) remains controversial. A Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to address this issue with regard to efficacy and toxicity. Methods By searching MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science, we extracted eligible studies. Efficacy, represented as overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), and overall toxicity, represented as ≥ grade 3 severe acute events (sAE), were assessed to compare the following 7 treatment models through an NMA: standard-of-care therapy (SoC), single targeted therapy different from SoC (ST), double targeted therapy (DT), targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy (T+C), single immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (SI), double immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (DI) and single chemotherapy different from SoC (SC). Rank probabilities according to the values of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) were separately determined for efficacy and toxicity. Results In total, 5285 patients from 24 eligible studies were ultimately screened, with 5184, 4532 and 4026 involved in the NMA of OS, PFS and sAE, respectively. All qualifying studies were absent from first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. In terms of OS, SI was superior to the other treatments, followed by DI, ST, T+C, SoC, DT and SC. Other than SI and SC, all treatments tended to be consistent, with hazard ratios (HRs) close to 1 between groups. For PFS, ST ranked first, while DT ranked last. For the toxicity profiles, compared with the other models, SI resulted in the lowest incidences of sAE, with statistical significance over SoC (odds ratio [OR] 0.31, 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.11 to 0.90), ST (OR 0.23, 95% CrI 0.06 to 0.86) and DT (OR 0.11, 95% CrI 0.02 to 0.53), while DT was the worst. When the SUCRA values of OS and sAE were combined, a cluster plot illustrated the superiority of SI, which demonstrated the best OS and tolerability toward sAE. Conclusion For R/M HNSCC patients without immune checkpoint inhibitors in the first-line setting, SI may serve as the optimal second-line systemic treatment model, demonstrating the best OS and least sAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Jiang Zhan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Yu Yao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Health Ward, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fang Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Ze Qiu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai- Liao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Hui Feng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Yun Tan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tai-Ze Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong-Hui Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ya-Wei Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Affolter A, Lammert A, Kern J, Scherl C, Rotter N. Precision Medicine Gains Momentum: Novel 3D Models and Stem Cell-Based Approaches in Head and Neck Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:666515. [PMID: 34307351 PMCID: PMC8296983 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.666515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the current progress in the development of new concepts of precision medicine for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), in particular targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibition (CPI), overall survival rates have not improved during the last decades. This is, on the one hand, caused by the fact that a significant number of patients presents with late stage disease at the time of diagnosis, on the other hand HNSCC frequently develop therapeutic resistance. Distinct intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity is one of the strongest features in HNSCC and has hindered both the identification of specific biomarkers and the establishment of targeted therapies for this disease so far. To date, there is a paucity of reliable preclinical models, particularly those that can predict responses to immune CPI, as these models require an intact tumor microenvironment (TME). The "ideal" preclinical cancer model is supposed to take both the TME as well as tumor heterogeneity into account. Although HNSCC patients are frequently studied in clinical trials, there is a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers allowing a better stratification of individuals who might benefit from new concepts of targeted or immunotherapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence indicates that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic. Through the process of stemness, epithelial cells acquire an invasive phenotype contributing to metastasis and recurrence. Specific markers for CSC such as CD133 and CD44 expression and ALDH activity help to identify CSC in HNSCC. For the majority of patients, allocation of treatment regimens is simply based on histological diagnosis and on tumor location and disease staging (clinical risk assessments) rather than on specific or individual tumor biology. Hence there is an urgent need for tools to stratify HNSCC patients and pave the way for personalized therapeutic options. This work reviews the current literature on novel approaches in implementing three-dimensional (3D) HNSCC in vitro and in vivo tumor models in the clinical daily routine. Stem-cell based assays will be particularly discussed. Those models are highly anticipated to serve as a preclinical prediction platform for the evaluation of stable biomarkers and for therapeutic efficacy testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Affolter
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Burgy M, Jehl A, Conrad O, Foppolo S, Bruban V, Etienne-Selloum N, Jung AC, Masson M, Macabre C, Ledrappier S, Burckel H, Mura C, Noël G, Borel C, Fasquelle F, Onea MA, Chenard MP, Thiéry A, Dontenwill M, Martin S. Cav1/EREG/YAP Axis in the Treatment Resistance of Cav1-Expressing Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123038. [PMID: 34207120 PMCID: PMC8235528 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The EGFR-targeting antibody cetuximab (CTX) combined with radiotherapy has been proven effective for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Due to resistance to CTX, some patients do not benefit from the treatment and recurrence is observed. As caveolin-1 (Cav1) has been reported to affect the EGFR pathway, we aimed to elucidate how it might affect the response to CTX-radiotherapy. We showed that Cav1 expression conferred surviving, growing and motile capacities that protect cells against the combination of CTX-radiotherapy. The protecting effects of Cav1 are mediated by the Cav1/EREG/YAP axis. We also showed in a retrospective study that a high expression of Cav1 was predictive of locoregional relapse of LA-HNSCC. Cav1 should be taken into consideration in the future as a prognosis marker to identify the subgroup of advanced HNSCC at higher risk of recurrence, but also to help clinicians to choose the more appropriate therapeutic strategies. Abstract The EGFR-targeting antibody cetuximab (CTX) combined with radiotherapy is the only targeted therapy that has been proven effective for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Recurrence arises in 50% of patients with HNSCC in the years following treatment. In clinicopathological practice, it is difficult to assign patients to classes of risk because no reliable biomarkers are available to predict the outcome of HPV-unrelated HNSCC. In the present study, we investigated the role of Caveolin-1 (Cav1) in the sensitivity of HNSCC cell lines to CTX-radiotherapy that might predict HNSCC relapse. Ctrl- and Cav-1-overexpressing HNSCC cell lines were exposed to solvent, CTX, or irradiation, or exposed to CTX before irradiation. Growth, clonogenicity, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, metabolism and signaling pathways were analyzed. Cav1 expression was analyzed in 173 tumor samples and correlated to locoregional recurrence and overall survival. We showed that Cav1-overexpressing cells demonstrate better survival capacities and remain proliferative and motile when exposed to CTX-radiotherapy. Resistance is mediated by the Cav1/EREG/YAP axis. Patients whose tumors overexpressed Cav1 experienced regional recurrence a few years after adjuvant radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Together, our observations suggest that a high expression of Cav1 might be predictive of locoregional relapse of LA-HNSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mickaël Burgy
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Aude Jehl
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Ombline Conrad
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Sophie Foppolo
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Véronique Bruban
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Nelly Etienne-Selloum
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Alain C. Jung
- Laboratory STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), Inserm IRFAC U1113, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (A.C.J.); (C.M.); (S.L.)
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Murielle Masson
- UMR7242 Biotechnologie et Signalisation Cellulaire, Ecole Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg, 67412 Illkirch, France;
| | - Christine Macabre
- Laboratory STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), Inserm IRFAC U1113, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (A.C.J.); (C.M.); (S.L.)
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sonia Ledrappier
- Laboratory STREINTH (Stress Response and Innovative Therapies), Inserm IRFAC U1113, Université de Strasbourg, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (A.C.J.); (C.M.); (S.L.)
- Laboratory of Tumor Biology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Hélène Burckel
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Radiobiology Laboratory, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University, UNICANCER, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (H.B.); (C.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Carole Mura
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Radiobiology Laboratory, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University, UNICANCER, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (H.B.); (C.M.); (G.N.)
| | - Georges Noël
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Radiobiology Laboratory, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Strasbourg University, UNICANCER, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (H.B.); (C.M.); (G.N.)
- Paul Strauss Comprehensive Cancer Center, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe (ICANS), Department of Radiation Oncology, Unicancer, 67200 Strasbourg, France
| | - Christian Borel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - François Fasquelle
- Institut Pathology, University Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
| | - Mihaela-Alina Onea
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (M.-A.O.); (M.-P.C.)
| | - Marie-Pierre Chenard
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg University Hospital, 67200 Strasbourg, France; (M.-A.O.); (M.-P.C.)
| | - Alicia Thiéry
- Department of Public Health, Institut de Cancérologie Strasbourg Europe, 67200 Strasbourg, France;
| | - Monique Dontenwill
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
| | - Sophie Martin
- Laboratory of Bioimaging and Pathology, University of Strasbourg, UMR7021 CNRS, 67401 Illkirch, France; (M.B.); (A.J.); (O.C.); (S.F.); (V.B.); (N.E.-S.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +3-336-885-4197; Fax: +3-336-885-4313
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Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important therapeutic target in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). EGFR-targeted agents including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown mixed results in clinical trials. To date, only cetuximab, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, is approved for use in local/regional advanced and recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. This article reviews the mechanism of action of cetuximab and its antitumor immune effects and the data to support its use in HNSCC. It additionally provides an overview of other EGFR monoclonal antibodies and small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors that have been studied.
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20
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Sacco AG, Chen R, Worden FP, Wong DJL, Adkins D, Swiecicki P, Chai-Ho W, Oppelt P, Ghosh D, Bykowski J, Molinolo A, Pittman E, Estrada MV, Gold K, Daniels G, Lippman SM, Natsuhara A, Messer K, Cohen EEW. Pembrolizumab plus cetuximab in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: an open-label, multi-arm, non-randomised, multicentre, phase 2 trial. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22:883-892. [PMID: 33989559 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00136-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) and cetuximab (EGFR inhibitor) are active as single agents and in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Given each drug's single agent activity and unique mechanism of action, we aimed to evaluate the anti-tumour activity of PD-1 blockade with EGFR inhibition in recurrent or metastatic HNSCC. METHODS This study is an open-label, non-randomised, multi-arm, phase 2 trial done at four academic centres in the USA. Participants were required to have platinum-resistant or platinum-ineligible, recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, be at least 18 years old, have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1, have measurable disease per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, and to have received no previous immunotherapy or EGFR inhibition. All participants received pembrolizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks, combined with an initial loading dose of cetuximab 400 mg/m2 intravenously followed by 250 mg/m2 intravenously weekly (21 day cycle). The primary endpoint was overall response rate defined as the proportion of participants with a partial or complete responses (per RECIST version 1.1) by 6 months in the intention-to-treat population. The safety population included all participants who received at least one dose of pembrolizumab. Herein, the final analysis of cohort 1 (no previous PD-1, PD-L1, or EGFR inhibition for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC) is reported. Three additional cohorts (two for participants with a previous response to immunotherapy followed by relapse or progression, with or without previous cetuximab exposure, and one for cutaneous HNSCC) will be reported separately once fully accrued. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03082534, and remains open as the three additional cohorts are actively accruing participants. FINDINGS Between March 22, 2017, and July 16, 2019, 33 participants were enrolled to cohort 1. All 33 participants received at least one dose of pembrolizumab. Median follow-up duration was 7·3 months (IQR 3·9-10·9). By 6 months, the overall response rate was 45% (95% CI 28-62), with 15 of 33 participants achieving a partial response. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse event was oral mucositis (three [9%] of 33 participants), and serious treatment-related adverse events occurred in five (15%) participants. No treatment-related deaths occurred. INTERPRETATION Pembrolizumab combined with cetuximab shows promising clinical activity for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC, and merits further investigation. FUNDING Merck Sharp & Dohme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assuntina G Sacco
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Ruifeng Chen
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biostatistics, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Francis P Worden
- Rogel Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Deborah J L Wong
- Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Douglas Adkins
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Paul Swiecicki
- Rogel Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wanxing Chai-Ho
- Los Angeles Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peter Oppelt
- Siteman Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington University, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Debanjali Ghosh
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Julie Bykowski
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alfredo Molinolo
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Emily Pittman
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Valeria Estrada
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kathryn Gold
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gregory Daniels
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Scott M Lippman
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Natsuhara
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Karen Messer
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Division of Biostatistics, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ezra E W Cohen
- Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Deuss E, Gößwein D, Gül D, Zimmer S, Foersch S, Eger CS, Limburg I, Stauber RH, Künzel J. Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Cancer: Her1-4 and c-Met in Conjunction with the Clinical Features and Human Papillomavirus (p16) Status. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113358. [PMID: 33202816 PMCID: PMC7697064 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Growth factor expression is a negative prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Targeted therapy has a limited effect on the treatment of advanced stages due to evolving resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of growth factor receptors in oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) and evaluate their role in the context of the human papillomavirus status, prognosis and possible relevance for targeted therapy. Tissue microarrays of 78 primary OPSCC, 35 related lymph node metastasis, 6 distant metastasis and 9 recurrent tumors were manufactured to evaluate the expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/erbB/Her)1–4 and c-Met by immunohistochemistry. EGFR and c-Met are relevant negative prognostic factors especially in noxae-induced OPSCC. Thus, dual targeting of EGFR and c-Met could be a promising prospective target in OPSCC treatment. Frequent coexpression of assessed receptors represents a possible intrinsic resistance mechanism in targeted therapy. Abstract This study aimed to assess the distribution of growth factor receptors in oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) and evaluate their role in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV) status, prognosis and potential relevance for targeted therapy. The protein expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her)1–4 and c-Met were retrospectively assessed using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays and analyzed for correlations as well as differences in the clinicopathological criteria. Her1–4 and c-met were overexpressed compared to normal mucosa in 46%, 4%, 17%, 27% and 23%, respectively. Interestingly, most receptors were coexpressed. Her1 and c-Met were inversely correlated with p16 (p = 0.04; p = 0.02). Her2 and c-Met were associated with high tobacco consumption (p = 0.016; p = 0.04). High EGFR, Her3, Her4 and c-Met expression were associated with worse overall and disease-free survival (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, EGFR and c-Met expression showed raised hazard ratios of 2.53 (p = 0.02; 95% CI 1.24–5.18) and 2.45 (p = 0.02; 95% CI 1.13–5.35), respectively. Her4 was expressed less in distant metastases than in corresponding primary tumors and was correlated to a higher T category. EGFR and c-Met are relevant negative prognostic factors in OPSCC, independent of known clinicopathological parameters. We suggest dual targeting of EGFR and c-Met as a promising strategy for OPSCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Deuss
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-0-177-8482208
| | - Dorothee Gößwein
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Désirée Gül
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Stefanie Zimmer
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.Z.); (S.F.)
| | - Sebastian Foersch
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (S.Z.); (S.F.)
| | - Claudia S. Eger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Ivonne Limburg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Roland H. Stauber
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
- Institute for Biotechnology, Shanxi University, No. 92 Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Julian Künzel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (D.G.); (D.G.); (C.S.E.); (I.L.); (R.H.S.); (J.K.)
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, University Hospital, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
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Combinatorial approaches targeting the EGFR family and c-Met in SCCHN. Oral Oncol 2020; 112:105074. [PMID: 33142224 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop novel combinations of inhibitors targeting EGFR family members and c-Met for the treatment of recurrent SCCHN. MATERIALS AND METHODS Three different c-Met inhibitors in combination with a pan-HER inhibitor (crizotinib/afatinib, tivantinib/afatinib and cabozantinib/afatinib) were investigated for their anti-tumor effects on SCCHN cell lines in vitro. In vivo activity of the combinations was tested in SCCHN cell line xenografts and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) animal models generated from patients with recurrent SCCHN. RESULTS Western blot assay indicated that activation of EGFR, HER2, HER3, and c-Met was blocked by all three combinations and the downstream PI3K/AKT and ERK signaling pathways were inhibited. Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay revealed SCCHN cell growth was more effectively inhibited by the combinations than by single agents, particularly in cell lines with high c-Met expression. Furthermore, the combinations were more potent in inducing apoptosis than each of the single agents. In the PDX models, the combination treatments exhibited significantly better efficacy in tumor growth inhibition compared to the respective single agents. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we demonstrated that the simultaneous targeting of EGFR, HER2, and c-Met is more effective than the individual inhibition of these targets in vitro and in SCCHN cell line xenograft and PDX models. Our findings pave the way for further clinical investigation of such combinations in SCCHN.
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