The Impact of Locoregional Treatment on Response to Nivolumab in Advanced Platinum Refractory Head and Neck Cancer: The Need Trial

Andrea Botticelli; Silvia Mezi; Giulia Pomati; Paolo Sciattella; Bruna Cerbelli; Michela Roberto; Giulia Mammone; Alessio Cirillo; Alessandra Cassano; Carmela Di Dio; Alessio Cortellini; Laura Pizzuti; Graziana Ronzino; Massimiliano Salati; Patrizia Vici; Antonella Polimeni; Marco Carlo Merlano; Marianna Nuti; Paolo Marchetti

doi:10.3390/vaccines8020191

Vaccines (Apr 2020)

The Impact of Locoregional Treatment on Response to Nivolumab in Advanced Platinum Refractory Head and Neck Cancer: The Need Trial

Andrea Botticelli,
Silvia Mezi,
Giulia Pomati,
Paolo Sciattella,
Bruna Cerbelli,
Michela Roberto,
Giulia Mammone,
Alessio Cirillo,
Alessandra Cassano,
Carmela Di Dio,
Alessio Cortellini,
Laura Pizzuti,
Graziana Ronzino,
Massimiliano Salati,
Patrizia Vici,
Antonella Polimeni,
Marco Carlo Merlano,
Marianna Nuti,
Paolo Marchetti

Affiliations

Andrea Botticelli: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Silvia Mezi: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Science, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giulia Pomati: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Science, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Paolo Sciattella: Department of Statistical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Bruna Cerbelli: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Science, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Michela Roberto: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Giulia Mammone: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Science, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Alessio Cirillo: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Science, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Cassano: Medical Oncology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Carmela Di Dio: Fondazione Policlinico universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
Alessio Cortellini: Department of Biotechnology and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Laura Pizzuti: Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
Graziana Ronzino: Ospedale “Vito Fazzi”, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Massimiliano Salati: Department of Oncology and Hematology, Division of Oncology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41100 Modena, Italy
Patrizia Vici: Division of Medical Oncology 2, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
Antonella Polimeni: Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Marco Carlo Merlano: Medical Oncology and Translational Research, Santa Croce e Carle Teaching Hospital, 12100 Cuneo, Italy
Marianna Nuti: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy
Paolo Marchetti: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8020191
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8, no. 2
p. 191

Abstract

Read online

Background: Previous locoregional treatment could affect the response to nivolumab in platinum-refractory recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the clinicopathological characteristics and previous treatment in predicting early progression to nivolumab in a real-world population. Methods: This is an observational, multicenter retrospective/prospective study including patients (pts) with platinum refractory R/M HNSCC who received nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks from October 2018 to October 2019. We analyzed the association between previous treatment, clinicopathological characteristics, and early progression (within 3 months). Results: Data from 61 pts were reviewed. Median age was 67 years (30–82). Forty-two pts (69%) received previous locoregional treatment. Early progression to nivolumab occurred in 36 pts (59%), while clinical benefit (stable disease and partial response) was achieved in 25 pts (41%). Early progression to nivolumab was significantly associated to previous locoregional treatment both at univariate and multivariate analysis (p = 0.005 and p = 0.048, respectively). Conclusion: nivolumab in R/M HNSCC is burdened with a high early progression rate. Previous wide neck dissection and high dose radiotherapy may compromise the efficacy of nivolumab, distorting the anatomy of the local lymphatic system and hindering the priming of immune response.

Published in Vaccines

ISSN: 2076-393X (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords