Adkins D, et al. – An analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of incorporating cetuximab into induction chemotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Results displayed no significant difference in cumulative incidence of death of disease (CIDD), overall survival (OS), or cumulative incidence of relapse between patients treated with nab–paclitaxel/cisplatin/5–FU and cetuximab (APF–C) or APF.

Methods

• Comparative analysis of two consecutive prospective phase II trials was performed: trial 1 withnab–paclitaxel/cisplatin/5–FU and cetuximab (APF–C; n = 30) and trial 2 with APF (n = 30).
• Patients were randomized to receive chemoradiation therapy (CRT) with cisplatin.
• T_2–4 classification oropharynx (OP)/larynx/hypopharynx SCC were included.
• Between APF–C and APF, cumulative incidence of death of disease (CIDD), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse were compared.

Results

• Between the groups, no significant differences in patient or tumor characteristics were reported.
• 52 (25–95) months was the median follow–up of surviving patients.
• Relapse occurred in 5 (17%) patients treated with APF–C and in 2 (7%) treated with APF (p = 0.37).
• In human papillomavirus (HPV)–related OPSCC (n = 34), the CIDD at 52 months was 3.4% with APF–C and 2.6% with APF and the two–year OSs were 94%.
• In HPV–unrelated HNSCC (n = 25), the CIDD at 52 months was 4.4% with APF–C and 3.3% with APF and two–year OSs were 83% and 92%, respectively.
• When stratified by treatment group and HPV status, CIDD or OS did not differ (CIDD: p = 0.80; OS: p = 0.30).