A comparison of weekly paclitaxel and cetuximab with the EXTREME regimen in the treatment of recurrent/metastatic squamous cell head and neck carcinoma

Treatment of elderly patients with head and neck cancer in an aging society: Focus on geriatric assessment and surgical treatment

Previous studies of the treatment of elderly head and neck cancer (HNC) patients were very limited and sometimes controversial. Although conclusions differ across various reports, it is often concluded that advanced chronological age does not directly affect prognosis, but that comorbidities and declines in physical and cognitive functions promote the occurrence of adverse events, especially with surgical treatment. Geriatric assessment (GA) and its screening tools are keys to help us understand overall health status and problems, predict life expectancy and treatment tolerance, and to influence treatment choices and interventions to improve treatment compliance. In addition, personal beliefs and values play a large role in determining policies for HNC treatment for elderly patients, and a multidisciplinary approach is important to support this. In this review, past research on HNC in older adults is presented, and the current evidence is explained, focusing on the management of elderly HNC patients, with an emphasis on the existing reports on each treatment stage and modality, especially the surgical procedures.

Efficacy of first-line systemic treatment regimens for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a network meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the first-line systemic therapy regimens on 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, and 30 months in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC) and figure out the best regimen.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholars were systematically searched for studies in regard to the first-line systemic regimens for R/M-HNSCC from inception to March 2022. Odds ratios (ORs) were generated for dichotomous variants by network meta-analysis. The primary endpoint was OS, and the second endpoint was PFS. The software implemented was STATA 17.0 MP.

RESULTS

Eventually, 18 studies with 5298 patients and 12 first-line systematic regimens were enrolled. immunotherapy + chemotherapy (OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.60-3.31) and single immunotherapy (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.33-2.76) were significantly superior to the EXTREME on OS at 30th month. Meantime, immunotherapy + chemotherapy (SUCRA = 87.7%) has the highest ranking. TPEx (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.05-2.48) showed significantly better efficacy compared with EXTREME on PFS at 12th month. Simultaneously, TPEx (SUCRA = 87.1%) had the highest ranking and was the long-lasting first-echelon regimen both in OS and PFS from a longitudinal perspective. It should be noted that EXTREME included platinum-based chemotherapy + fluorouracil + cetuximab, TPEx included docetaxel + cisplatin + cetuximab.

CONCLUSION

Considering the efficacy, safety, compliance, and economic profiles collectively, one of the standard first-line regimens, literally TPEx should be recommended as the best choice for R/M-HNSCC. Furthermore, more head-to-head trials are needed to confirm those findings.

Combined taxane, platinum, and cetuximab as a first-line treatment for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Retrospective study

BACKGROUND

There is limited evidence supporting the use of taxane-based chemotherapy combined with cetuximab to treat recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). This retrospective study aimed to explore treatment efficacy and safety in a first-line setting.

METHODS

Fifty-nine patients received ≤6 cycles of combined cetuximab, platinum compounds, and taxane (median follow-up, 352 days). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed.

RESULTS

The median patient age was 54 years (23-75 years; 50 males and 9 females). The most common distant metastatic site was the lung. Patients received ≥2 cycles chemotherapy (33 [55.9%] received cetuximab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin; 21 [35.5%] received cetuximab maintenance; median progression-free survival, 7 months; overall survival, 12 months). The most common hematological toxicity was Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, which was successfully managed through growth-stimulating factors and dose modifications. No treatment-associated deaths occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined cetuximab, platinum, and taxane is effective and tolerable in R/M HNSCC.

Shooting at Moving and Hidden Targets-Tumour Cell Plasticity and the Notch Signalling Pathway in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is often aggressive, with poor response to current therapies in approximately 40-50% of the patients. Current therapies are restricted to operation and irradiation, often combined with a small number of standard-of-care chemotherapeutic drugs, preferentially for advanced tumour patients. Only very recently, newer targeted therapies have entered the clinics, including Cetuximab, which targets the EGF receptor (EGFR), and several immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the immune receptor PD-1 and its ligand PD-L1. HNSCC tumour tissues are characterized by a high degree of intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH), and non-genetic alterations that may affect both non-transformed cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and transformed carcinoma cells. This very high degree of heterogeneity likely contributes to acquired drug resistance, tumour dormancy, relapse, and distant or lymph node metastasis. ITH, in turn, is likely promoted by pronounced tumour cell plasticity, which manifests in highly dynamic and reversible phenomena such as of partial or hybrid forms of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and enhanced tumour stemness. Stemness and tumour cell plasticity are strongly promoted by Notch signalling, which remains poorly understood especially in HNSCC. Here, we aim to elucidate how Notch signal may act both as a tumour suppressor and proto-oncogenic, probably during different stages of tumour cell initiation and progression. Notch signalling also interacts with numerous other signalling pathways, that may also have a decisive impact on tumour cell plasticity, acquired radio/chemoresistance, and metastatic progression of HNSCC. We outline the current stage of research related to Notch signalling, and how this pathway may be intricately interconnected with other, druggable targets and signalling mechanisms in HNSCC.

Weekly chemotherapy as first line treatment in frail head and neck cancer patients in the immunotherapy era

Objective

First-line therapy for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M HNSCC) has been revolutionized by the introduction of anti-checkpoint monoclonal antibodies, which have shown a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) gaining approval in a first line setting. Efficacy and safety of first-line weekly chemotherapy, compared to 3-weeks treatment, was retrospectively evaluated in a frail patient population with R/M HNSCC with the aim to evaluate its role as part of a personalized first-line approach.

Methods

A total of 124 patients with locally incurable R/M HNSCC receiving weekly (21) or three-weekly (103) chemotherapy plus cetuximab in a first line setting from December 2010 to September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment outcomes in terms of objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicities were analysed.

Results

Patients in the three-week subgroup were ECOG PS 0 (39) and 1 (64) while patients in weekly group (21) were all PS 2. No significant differences were reported in terms of age, sex, smoking and previous alcohol abuse considering the two distinct subgroups. Moreover, no statistically significant difference was found in PFS and OS between the two treatment subgroups. The response rate was 35% (36 patients) and 34% (7 patients) in three-week and weekly treatment group, respectively. Seventy patients (68%) in the three-week group experienced chemotherapy-related toxicities, predominantly G3. In the weekly group a predominantly low-grade toxicity was found in a lower number of patients (52%).

Conclusion

The weekly schedule appears to be an active and safe strategy in frail patients with R/M HNSCC. Based on these data, a weekly schedule could be considered as a first line treatment in all frail patients excluded from pembrolizumab treatment and a study on the combination of weekly chemotherapy and immunotherapy should be performed.

Cetuximab in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Biological mechanisms involved in efficacy, toxicity and resistance

Since its introduction, the use of cetuximab in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has experienced an evolution. Currently, cetuximab associated with radiotherapy is limited to the treatment of patients affected by a locally advanced malignancy and unfit for cisplatin. However, reliable biomarkers of cetuximab efficacy in this cancer setting are still lacking. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of cetuximab, highlighting, in particular, the consequences of the binding to EGFR, and the pathways involved in the development of adverse events or acquired resistance. Indeed, adverse events, such as skin rash, have been associated with cetuximab efficacy in HNSCC several times. Acquired resistance is associated with microenvironment plasticity, which is, in turn, characterized by an increased immune infiltrate. The better definition of patients eligible for this kind of therapy could improve HNSCC management, possibly proposing a combined treatment with radiotherapy, cetuximab and immune checkpoint inhibitors as recently investigated.

Weekly Cetuximab and Paclitaxel for Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Head and neck cancers account for 8% of all cancer cases worldwide. However, identifying the optimal treatment for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/MHNSCC) has been challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors of the outcome of patients with R/MHNSCC who were treated with weekly cetuximab and paclitaxel (Cmab-PTX).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The records of R/MHNSCC patients who were treated with Cmab-PTX in our institution between June 2013 and September 2017 were collected. We analyzed Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), prognostic factors and adverse events.

RESULTS

The records of 59 patients treated with Cmab-PTX were analyzed. The median PFS was 5.7 months, and the median OS was 11.8 months. Patients who had been administered cetuximab previously had shorter PFS and OS than those who had not.

CONCLUSION

Cmab-PTX may be considered as a treatment option in head and neck R/MHNSCC patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Cetuximab Plus Cisplatin Alone or in Combination With Paclitaxel in Patients With Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Randomized Trial

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of cetuximab and cisplatin alone or in combination with paclitaxel as the first-line treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methodology:

Three hundred patients with confirmed HNSCC from 20 different hospitals were included in this study. Patients in group I underwent a 2-hour infusion of 400 mg/m² cetuximab (day 1), followed by a 1-hour infusion of 250 mg/m² cetuximab weekly and 1-hour infusion of 100 mg/m² cisplatin (days 1 and 21) per treatment cycle. Patients in group II were treated with a combination of cetuximab, cisplatin, and paclitaxel. Patients received 6 cycles of 175 mg/m² paclitaxel given on days 1 and 21. The primary outcome of the study was progression-free survival (PFS); overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR) were the secondary endpoints.

Results:

The median PFS was 5 months and 8 months for patients in groups I and II, respectively (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.85–1.78; P > 0.05). Similarly, we found no significant differences in OS between the 2 groups (median OS, 13 vs. 11 months, respectively; HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.42–1.43; P = 0.198). Moreover, we observed no significant difference in ORR between the 2 groups (ORR, 63.3% vs 69.9%, respectively; HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.36–1.67; P = 0.231).

Conclusions:

The combination of paclitaxel with cetuximab and cisplatin did not improve patient outcomes compared to cetuximab plus cisplatin alone. Therefore, the 2-drug regimen could be used as first-line treatment in patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC.

Clinical impact of weekly paclitaxel plus cetuximab is comparable to the EXTREME regimen for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Until the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, the EXTREME regimen comprising platinum-based chemotherapy plus cetuximab was the standard of care for recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). Recent reports suggest the usefulness of regimens including taxanes in combination with cetuximab as treatment options for R/M HNSCC patients with contraindications for platinum. However, comparisons of weekly paclitaxel plus cetuximab (wPTX-Cmab) to the EXTREME regimen are limited.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared the clinical impact of wPTX-Cmab to EXTREME as first line treatment for R/M HNSCC in Aichi Cancer Center Hospital. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Propensity score-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

From 2012 to 2018, 77 patients, including 55 treated with EXTREME and 22 refractory or intolerant to platinum treated with wPTX-Cmab, were analyzed. wPTX-Cmab was comparable to EXTREME on OS [adjusted HR 0.82 (95% CI 0.39-1.48)], PFS [adjusted HR 0.90 (95% CI 0.49-1.65)], ORR [wPTX-Cmab 34.7% (12-43), EXTREME 30.9% (18-43), p = 0.877] and DCR [wPTX-Cmab 72.7% (52-92), EXTREME 65.4% (52-78), p = 0.337]. Survival trends remained similar after stratification by platinum-refractory or intolerance status. Disease control with wPTX-Cmab was significantly associated with better OS [adjusted HR 0.18 (0.05-0.57)].

CONCLUSION

wPTX-Cmab may be a suitable treatment option for R/M HNSCC patients with contraindications for platinum.

Efficacy and Safety of Paclitaxel Combined With Cetuximab for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

For recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN), popular regimens containing platinum-based anticancer agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors are impractical for platinum-intolerant patients. Herein, the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel and cetuximab combination therapy in R/M SCCHN were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) and cetuximab (400 mg/m2 loading dose followed by 250 mg/m2 weekly) were administered in 28-day cycles on days 1, 8, and 15.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were treated. The overall response and disease control rates of first-line therapy were 43% and 79%, respectively, while those of second-line and later therapies were 20% and 90%, respectively. The median progression-free and overall survival were 5.3 and 12.5 months, respectively. All adverse events were manageable, including grade 3/4 neutropenia and anaemia affecting 8-13% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Paclitaxel and cetuximab combination therapy may be suitable for treating R/M SCCHN.

Randomized phase-III-trial of concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer comparing dose reduced radiotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin to standard radiotherapy with fluorouracil/cisplatin: The PacCis-trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This multicenter, phase 3 trial investigates whether the incorporation of concurrent paclitaxel and cisplatin together with a reduced total dose of radiotherapy is superior to standard fluorouracil-cisplatin based CRT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with SCCHN, stage III-IVB, were randomized to receive paclitaxel/cisplatin (PacCis)-CRT (arm A; paclitaxel 20 mg/m² on days 2, 5, 8, 11 and 25, 30, 33, 36; cisplatin 20 mg/m², days 1-4 and 29-32; RT to a total dose of 63.6 Gy) or fluorouracil/cisplatin (CisFU)-CRT (arm B; fluorouracil 600 mg/m²; cisplatin 20 mg/m², days 1-5 and 29-33; RT: 70.6 Gy). Endpoint was 3-year-disease free survival (3y-DFS).

RESULTS

A total of 221 patients were enrolled between 2010 and 2015. With a median follow-up of 3.7 years, 3y-DFS in the CisFU arm and PacCis arm was 58.2% and 48.4%, respectively (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.56-1.21, p = 0.52). The 3y-OS amounted to 64.6% in the CisFU arm, and to 59.2% in the PacCis arm (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.54-1.24, p = 0.43). In the subgroup of p16-positive oropharyngeal carcinomas, 3y-DFS and 3y-OS was 84.6% vs 83.9% (p = 0.653), and 92.3% vs. 83.5% (p = 0.76) in arm A and B, respectively. Grade 3-4 hematological toxicities were significantly reduced in arm A (anemia, p = 0.01; leukocytopenia, p = 0.003), whereas grade 3 infections were reduced in arm B (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Paclitaxel/cisplatin-CRT with a reduced RT-dose is not superior to standard fluorouracil/cisplatin-CRT. Subgroup analyses indicate that a reduced radiation dose seems to be sufficient for p16+ oropharyngeal cancer or non-smokers.

CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION

NCT01126216; EudraCT Number 2005-003484-23.

Carboplatin in combination with weekly Paclitaxel as first-line therapy in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma unfit to EXTREME schedule

The standard first-line treatment in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma combines Cisplatin, 5 Fluorouracil and Cetuximab, but many patients aren’t eligible. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and the tolerability of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in this indication, mostly in patients unfit to Cisplatin.

Paclitaxel (80mg/m2) was administered at day 1, 8 and 15 and Carboplatin area under the curve 5 at day 1, repeated every 28 days, for 6 cycles. Carboplatin could be administered at area under the curve 2 at day 1, 8 and 15.

117 patients received this association at our institution, 94 of those were ineligible to cisplatin due to severe comorbidities, age >70years or Performance status >1.

The overall response rate was 40%. The median progression free survival for patients ineligible to Cisplatin was 4.4 months [95% CI; 3.4; 5.0] and the median overall survival was 8 months [95% CI; 5.4–10.7].

The most frequent toxicities were hematologic, with 94 grade ≥ 3, mostly in patients who received monthly Carboplatin.

Our study shows Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in first-line in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma appear efficient for patients ineligible to Cisplatin and safe when both drugs are weekly administered.

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy for recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer: a systematic review

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a fatal malignancy with an overall long-term survival of about 50% for all stages. The diagnosis is not rarely delayed, and the majority of patients present with loco-regionally advanced disease. The rate of second primary tumors after a diagnosis of HNC is about 3-7% per year, the highest rate among solid tumors. Currently, a single-modality or a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy (CHT), is the standard treatment for stage III-IV HNC. For the recurrent/metastatic setting, in the last 40 years great efforts have been made in order to develop a more effective CHT regimen, from the use of methotrexate alone, to the combination of cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracile (5FU) or paclitaxel. Recently, the introduction of cetuximab, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody, to the CDDP-5FU doublet (EXTREME regimen) has improved the overall response rate, the progression-free survival and the overall survival (OS) compared to CHT alone. Nowadays, the EXTREME regimen is the standard of care for the first-line treatment of recurrent/metastatic head and neck carcinoma (RMHNC). In the last years, new promising therapies for RMHNC such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have demonstrated favorable results in second-line clinical trials, gained special interest. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are the first two ICIs able to prolong OS in the second-, later-line and platinum-refractory setting, with tolerable toxicities. This review summarizes the current state of the art in RMHNC treatment options.