Cytotoxic and targeted systemic therapy in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The outcomes of patients treated with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy is not well defined for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN).

METHODS:

Patients with cSCCHN treated with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of distant metastasis (M1 vs. M0) at presentation. A proportional hazards model was used to assess for independent predictors of overall survival.

RESULTS:

Of 129 patients with cSCCHN, 20 (16%) were M1 and 109 (84%) were M0. Independent predictors of improved survival were M0 status, treatment of locally advanced disease with radiotherapy, and lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score.

CONCLUSIONS:

Survival was worse in M1 patients treated with cytotoxic or targeted systemic therapy and poor baseline performance status but improved in those receiving radiotherapy. These data can serve as historical controls for future systemic therapy trials, including immunotherapy.

• Authors: Samantha Tam, Mona Gajera, Xiaoning Luo, Bonnie S Glisson, Renata Ferrarotto, Faye M Johnson, Frank E Mott, Maura L Gillison, Charles Lu, Xiuning Le, George R Blumenschein, Michael K Wong, David I Rosenthal, Priyadharsini Nagarajan, Adel K El-Naggar, Michael R Midgen, Randal S Weber, Jeffrey N Myers, Neil D Gross
• Journal: Head & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 43 Issue 5 Pg. 1592-1603 (05 2021) ISSN: 1097-0347 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 33522021 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Topics

• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (drug therapy, pathology)
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Neoplasm Staging
• Prognosis
• Skin Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck (drug therapy)