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Impact of p16 Status and Anatomical Site in Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy-Treated Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck
Kate Clancy1, Chelsea S Hamill1, W Quinn O'Neill1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Abstract:
In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), anti-PD-1 inhibitors are approved for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) disease and anticipated to expand to other indications. The impact of p16 status and anatomical site on overall survival (OS) in immunotherapy-treated HNSCC patients remains unresolved. We performed a retrospective analysis of R/M HNSCC patients receiving anti-PD-1 immunotherapy at our academic medical center with an extensive community satellite network. Fifty-three R/M HNSCC patients were treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and had a median OS of 6 months. Anatomical site was associated with distinct OS; oropharynx and larynx patients have superior OS compared to oral cavity patients. Analysis of the OPSCC subset showed p16+ status as a favorable, independent prognostic biomarker (HR 7.67 (1.23-47.8); p = 0.029). Further studies to assess the link between anatomical site, p16 status, and anti-PD-1 treatment outcomes in large cohorts of R/M HNSCC patients managed in real-world clinical practices and clinical trials should be prioritized.
Insights
For head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, anatomical site impacts overall survival (OS). P16-positive status in oropharyngeal cancer is a favorable prognostic biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunotherapy
- Head and Neck Cancer Research
Background:
- Anti-PD-1 inhibitors are approved for recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
- The influence of p16 status and tumor anatomical site on survival outcomes in HNSCC patients receiving immunotherapy is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of p16 status and anatomical site on overall survival (OS) in R/M HNSCC patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
- To identify prognostic biomarkers for immunotherapy response in HNSCC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 53 R/M HNSCC patients treated with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
- Evaluation of overall survival (OS) based on anatomical site and p16 status.
Main Results:
- Median OS for R/M HNSCC patients was 6 months.
- Anatomical site significantly affected OS, with oropharynx and larynx cancers showing superior survival compared to oral cavity cancers.
- In oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), p16-positive status was a favorable, independent prognostic biomarker (HR 7.67; p=0.029).
Conclusions:
- Anatomical site and p16 status are important factors influencing anti-PD-1 immunotherapy outcomes in R/M HNSCC.
- Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings in real-world and clinical trial settings.
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