Induction Chemoimmunotherapy Followed by Radiotherapy in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Yan Tian,1,* Zenan Fan,1,* Yong Qin,2 Min Zhang,3 Yan Xiong,4 Xue-Ying Ren,5 Xiaoyun Wang,1 Shikai Wu1 1Department of Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, 100044, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pathology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shikai Wu, Department of Oncology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-010-64007836, Email [email protected]: The majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are diagnosed at an advanced stage, often necessitating standard treatments such as surgery or concurrent chemoradiotherapy.Methods: This was a real-world study conducted between January 2021 and October 2024. The study enrolled 42 previously untreated patients diagnosed with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). Patients received induction chemotherapy (IC) with or without immunotherapy followed by radiotherapy at our hospital.Results: The group receiving immunotherapy with IC (I+IC, N=26) demonstrated an 82.6% objective response rate (ORR) and a 92.3% disease control rate (DCR). In contrast, patients treated with IC (N=16) alone exhibited an ORR of 37.5% and a DCR of 93.8%. With a median follow-up of 28.9 months, the I+IC group showed a 100% 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) and an 88.5% 12-month PFS, with a 92.3% overall survival (OS) rate at 12 months.Discussion: This real-world study suggests that the addition of immunotherapy to IC holds promise for improving treatment outcomes in locally advanced HNSCC. The findings underscore the need for further research involving a larger patient population to validate these preliminary results.Keywords: locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, chemoimmunotherapy, induction chemotherapy, checkpoint inhibitor, immunotherapy