Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer
Abstract Purpose Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used as first-line treatments for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNC), there are many cases where the treatment is ineffective, making the assessment of efficacy crucial. In this study, we examined factors associate...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06121-0 |
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| author | Satoru Miyamaru Daizo Murakami Kohei Nishimoto Yorihisa Orita |
| author_facet | Satoru Miyamaru Daizo Murakami Kohei Nishimoto Yorihisa Orita |
| author_sort | Satoru Miyamaru |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used as first-line treatments for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNC), there are many cases where the treatment is ineffective, making the assessment of efficacy crucial. In this study, we examined factors associated with the therapeutic effects of pembrolizumab. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 54 patients with R/M HNC treated with pembrolizumab from January 2020 to December 2022. We investigated the relationship between survival rates and various factors such as the combined positive score (CPS), histological subtypes, recurrent lesions, details of administered agents, sequence of administration, history of cetuximab use, and presence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Results The overall survival rates at 1-, 2, and 3 years were 57.4%, 41.8%, and 32.3%, respectively. The response and disease control rates were 31.5% and 51.9%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, a CPS of 20 or higher, first-line treatment, no history of cetuximab use, and the presence of irAEs was associated with better survival rates, whereas in the multivariate analysis, the first two factors were significantly associated with better survival. In this study, 16 of 20 cases had a CPS of 50 or higher, and 7 had a CPS of 90 or higher, indicating that a large number of high CPS cases were included, which is believed to have contributed to the results of this study. Conclusion In patients with a CPS of 20 or higher, pembrolizumab can be administered as first-line treatment, with favorable expected therapeutic effects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-06700e65b4ca496e8457d8ab18b9e499 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1432-1335 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-06700e65b4ca496e8457d8ab18b9e4992025-02-09T12:10:38ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352025-02-0115121910.1007/s00432-025-06121-0Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancerSatoru Miyamaru0Daizo Murakami1Kohei Nishimoto2Yorihisa Orita3Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kumamoto UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kumamoto UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kumamoto UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kumamoto UniversityAbstract Purpose Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used as first-line treatments for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (R/M HNC), there are many cases where the treatment is ineffective, making the assessment of efficacy crucial. In this study, we examined factors associated with the therapeutic effects of pembrolizumab. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 54 patients with R/M HNC treated with pembrolizumab from January 2020 to December 2022. We investigated the relationship between survival rates and various factors such as the combined positive score (CPS), histological subtypes, recurrent lesions, details of administered agents, sequence of administration, history of cetuximab use, and presence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Results The overall survival rates at 1-, 2, and 3 years were 57.4%, 41.8%, and 32.3%, respectively. The response and disease control rates were 31.5% and 51.9%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, a CPS of 20 or higher, first-line treatment, no history of cetuximab use, and the presence of irAEs was associated with better survival rates, whereas in the multivariate analysis, the first two factors were significantly associated with better survival. In this study, 16 of 20 cases had a CPS of 50 or higher, and 7 had a CPS of 90 or higher, indicating that a large number of high CPS cases were included, which is believed to have contributed to the results of this study. Conclusion In patients with a CPS of 20 or higher, pembrolizumab can be administered as first-line treatment, with favorable expected therapeutic effects.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06121-0PembrolizumabHead and neck cancerImmune checkpoint inhibitorsCombined positive score (CPS)Survival analysis |
| spellingShingle | Satoru Miyamaru Daizo Murakami Kohei Nishimoto Yorihisa Orita Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Pembrolizumab Head and neck cancer Immune checkpoint inhibitors Combined positive score (CPS) Survival analysis |
| title | Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer |
| title_full | Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer |
| title_fullStr | Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer |
| title_short | Identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer |
| title_sort | identifying factors for pembrolizumab eligibility in head and neck cancer |
| topic | Pembrolizumab Head and neck cancer Immune checkpoint inhibitors Combined positive score (CPS) Survival analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06121-0 |
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