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Bila M, Franken A, Van Dessel J, Garip M, Meulemans J, Willaert R, Hoeben A, Vander Poorten V, Clement PM. Exploring long-term responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Oncol 2024; 149:106664. [PMID: 38113661 DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2023.106664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have introduced a new era in the treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). Optimal duration for ICI therapy is still unclear and the long-term outcomes and toxicity in patients responding to these therapies warrant further exploration. This study attempts to identify the clinical and biological determinants of a durable response and evaluate outcomes following ICI treatment discontinuation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of 181 patients treated with ICI for R/M HNSCC was conducted. Long-term responders were defined as patients who sustained disease control at least two years after initiating ICI therapy. We compared clinical and biological characteristics associated with these long-term responders against the broader treatment population. RESULTS 10 % of R/M HNSCC patients treated with ICIs demonstrated a durable long-term response. Only three relapses (16 %) occurred after discontinuing ICI treatment in this subset, with a median follow-up of 52 months. Upon retreatment with ICI, two attained a documented response. Extended ICI response was observed even with < 2 years of treatment. 74 % of long-term responders experienced immune-related adverse events (irAEs), 37 % of which severe irAEs. Hypothyroidism was the most frequently reported irAEs. The predictive potential of systemic inflammation indices for clinical response appears to be limited. CONCLUSIONS ICI present an optimistic avenue for HNSCC patients, offering substantial long-term responses. The study suggests that a two-year treatment could be optimal and irAEs, although common, are typically mild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Bila
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Amelie Franken
- Laboratory for Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Van Dessel
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery - Imaging & Pathology (OMFS-IMPATH), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Melisa Garip
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Meulemans
- Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Willaert
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery - Imaging & Pathology (OMFS-IMPATH), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Hoeben
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands; GROW-School of Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent Vander Poorten
- Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, Section Head and Neck Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul M Clement
- Department of Oncology, Leuven Cancer Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Medical oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Profili NI, Castelli R, Gidaro A, Merella A, Manetti R, Palmieri G, Maioli M, Delitala AP. Endocrine Side Effects in Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5161. [PMID: 37568563 PMCID: PMC10419837 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies that elicit an anti-tumor response by stimulating immune system. Their use has improved the treatment of different types of cancer such as melanoma, breast carcinoma, lung, stomach, colon, liver, renal cell carcinoma, and Hodgkin's lymphoma, but several adverse events have been reported. Although the etiology of these effects is not completely understood, an uncontrolled activation of the immune system has been postulated. Indeed, some studies showed a cross reactivity of T cells, which acted against tumor antigens as well as antigens in the tissues of patients who developed immune-related adverse events. Despite the known possibility of developing immune-related adverse events, early diagnosis, monitoring during therapy, and treatment are fundamental for the best supportive care and administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The aim of this review is to guide the clinician in early diagnosis, management, and treatment of the endocrinological adverse effects in the major endocrine glands (thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, endocrine pancreas, and parathyroid).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicia I. Profili
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Castelli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Antonio Gidaro
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, University of Milan, Luigi Sacco Hospital, 20157 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Merella
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Roberto Manetti
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palmieri
- Department of Biochemical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Margherita Maioli
- Department of Biochemical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandro P. Delitala
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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