The Paradoxical Influence of Hyperthermia on Progression‐Free Survival in Recurrent/Metastatic Oral Cancer Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Concurrent HT with ICI therapy was paradoxically associated with diminished PFS without impacting OS. This critical discordance suggests that the observed radiographic progression may reflect intense, HT-induced immune-related inflammation (pseudoprogression) rather than true tumor progression. These findings underscore the complexity of interpreting efficacy endpoints for this novel combination therapy and highlight the need to reconsider standard response evaluation criteria.