Results of concurrent radiotherapy and immunotherapy in recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer: A single-center experience

Stereotactic radiotherapy in the management of oligometastatic and recurrent head and neck cancer: a single-center experience

INTRODUCTION

Oligometastatic disease (OMD) is a metastatic stage that could benefit maximally from local therapies. Patients in this state have a better prognosis relative to those with disseminated metastases. Stereotactic radiotherapy provides a non-invasive ablative tool for primary malignant tumors and metastases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched our register for patients with oligometastatic or recurrent head and neck cancer (OMD/R-HNC) who received stereotactic radiotherapy to manage their OMD/R. We evaluated the survival outcomes and prognostic factors that affected the survival of those patients.

RESULTS

In all, 31 patients with 48 lesions met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. The lesions comprised various metastatic sites, with the majority being pulmonary (37 lesions). Squamous cell cancer was the most common histology (26 patients). The median overall survival (mOS) was 33 months, with a progression-free survival (PFS) of 9.6 months. Eight patients received subsequent stereotactic radiotherapy after disease progression. The local control (LC) rates were 91.3, 87.7, and 83% at 6, 12, and 36 months. Patients with the de novo OMD who received stereotactic radiotherapy as their initial treatment had a median systemic treatment-free survival of 23.9 months. In univariate analysis, a trend for better OS was observed in patients with p16-positive squamous cell tumors; patients who progressed within 150 days after diagnosis had a significantly lower OS. De novo OMD showed significantly better PFS compared to induced OMD. Multivariate analyses identified p16-positive squamous cell cancer, metachronous OMD and a longer time to progression as positive predictors of OS, while de novo OMD was the only positive predictor for PFS. Treatment-related toxicities were generally mild, with two cases of grade 3 dysphagia reported.

CONCLUSION

Stereotactic radiotherapy demonstrated favorable outcomes in patients with OMD/R-HNC with limited toxicities. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings and optimize treatment strategies for this patient population.

Major and durable responses to photon and electron-beam palliative radiotherapies after immune-checkpoint inhibitors in head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

The immuno-modulatory effects of ionizing radiation are well-known and preclinical studies suggest a synergistic effect of combining radiotherapy (RT) and IO. However, data regarding the clinical activity and safety of this approach are limited.

METHODS

We present the cases of two patients with SCCHN primary progressing to PDL1-based IO within a clinical trial (NCT03383094), that received subsequent but not concurrent palliative RT using two different modalities (electron beam and photon beam therapies).

RESULTS

Both patients achieved major and durable responses at 4 irradiated sites, with excellent tolerance and no grade ≥ 3 toxicities. Complete response occurred in 3 of the disease areas (all locoregional) and partial response in 1 metastatic lesion.

CONCLUSION

Palliative radiotherapy after progression to IO was safe and demonstrated profound and durable responses in the cases presented.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Extracranial Oligometastatic Disease from Head and Neck Primary Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used to treat disease in the oligometastatic (OM) setting due to mounting evidence demonstrating its efficacy and safety. Given the low population representation in prospective studies, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes of HNC patients with extracranial OM disease treated with SBRT.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted with Cochrane, Medline, and Embase databases queried from inception to August 2022 for studies with extracranial OM HNC treated with stereotactic radiotherapy. Polymetastatic patients (>five lesions), mixed-primary cohorts failing to report HNC separately, lack of treatment to all lesions, nonquantitative endpoints, and other definitive treatments (surgery, conventional radiotherapy, and radioablation) were excluded. The meta-analysis examined the pooled effects of 12- and 24-month local control (LC) per lesion, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Weighted random-effects were assessed using the DerSimonian and Laird method, with heterogeneity evaluated using the I2 statistic and Cochran Qtest. Forest plots were generated for each endpoint.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria (639 patients, 831 lesions), with twelve eligible for quantitative synthesis with common endpoints and sufficient reporting. Fourteen studies were retrospective, with a single prospective trial. Studies were small, with a median of 32 patients (range: 6-81) and 63 lesions (range: 6-126). The OM definition varied, with a maximum of two to five metastases, mixed synchronous and metachronous lesions, and a few studies including oligoprogressive lesions. The most common site of metastasis was the lung. Radiation was delivered in 1-10 fractions (20-70 Gy). The one-year LC (LC1), reported in 12 studies, was 86.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 79.3-91.9%). LC2 was 77.9% (95% CI: 66.4-86.3%), with heterogeneity across studies. PFS was reported in five studies, with a PFS1 of 43.0% (95% CI: 35.0-51.4%) and PFS2 of 23.9% (95% CI: 17.8-31.2%), with homogeneity across studies. OS was analyzed in nine studies, demonstrating an OS1 of 80.1% (95% CI: 74.2-85.0%) and OS2 of 60.7% (95% CI: 51.3-69.4%). Treatment was well tolerated with no reported grade 4 or 5 toxicities. Grade 3 toxicity rates were uniformly below 5% when reported.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT offers excellent LC and promising OS, with acceptable toxicities in OM HNC. Durable PFS remains rare, highlighting the need for effective local or systemic therapies in this population. Further investigations on concurrent and adjuvant therapies are warranted.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy in Combination with Immunotherapy in Treatment of Advanced Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx in advanced stages is a challenging malignancy to treat with a high recurrence and death rate. An individualized approach to treatment is crucial in such patients. We present a 58-year-old male patient with SCC of the larynx in the T3N0M0 stage who was treated with concurrent radiochemotherapy. A total of 17 months after the radical treatment, the patient underwent a laryngectomy due to recurrence. A total of 11 months after the operation, local failure was diagnosed. In the next order, the patient received six cycles of palliative chemotherapy according to cisplatin 100 mg/m² and 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m². After three months, due to progression, Nivolumab-based immunotherapy was administered, ensuring disease stabilization. After the 56th cycle of Nivolumab, another progression was documented. The addition of stereotactic radiotherapy (18 Gy in three fractions) to immunotherapy led to significant regression of the disease and enabled the continuation of Nivolumab to the 70th cycle. The presented case demonstrates the usefulness of the combination of stereotactic radiotherapy with immunotherapy in prolonging the local control.