Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

Exploring long-term responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent and metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

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.

Patterns of recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to inform personalized surveillance protocols

BACKGROUND

Development of evidence-based post-treatment surveillance guidelines in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) is limited by comprehensive documentation of patterns of recurrence and metastatic spread.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with R/M HNSCC at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center between 1998- 2019 was performed (n = 447). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified patterns of recurrence and predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Median overall survival (mOS) improved over time (6.7 months in 1998-2007 to 11.8 months in 2008-2019, p = .006). Predictors of worse mOS included human papillomavirus (HPV) negativity (hazard ratio [HR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.6), high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (HR, 2.1 [1.4-3.0], disease-free interval (DFI) ≤6 months (HR, 1.4 [1.02-2.0]), and poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, ≥2; HR, 1.91.1-3.4). In this cohort, 50.6% of recurrences occurred within 6 months of treatment completion, 72.5% occurred within 1 year, and 88.6% occurred within 2 years. Metachronous distant metastases were more likely to occur in patients with HPV-positive disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.3 [1.4-4.0]), DFI >6 months (OR, 2.4 [1.5-4.0]), and body mass index ≥30 (OR, 2.3 [1.1-4.8]). Oligometastatic disease treated with local ablative therapy was associated with improved survival over polymetastatic disease (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.55).

CONCLUSION

These data regarding patterns of distant metastasis in HNSCC support the clinical utility of early detection of recurrence. Patterns of recurrence in this population can be used to inform individualized surveillance programs as well as to risk-stratify eligible patients for clinical trials.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

After treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC), patients are at risk of recurrence at prior sites of disease or at distant sites in the body. This study includes a large group of patients with recurrent or metastatic HNC and examines factors associated with survival outcomes and recurrence patterns. Patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive HNC have good survival outcomes, but if they recur, this may be in distant regions of the body and may occur later than HPV-negative patients. These data argue for personalized follow-up schedules for patients with HNC, perhaps incorporating imaging studies or novel blood tests.