Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 27, 2025

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
06:11

Therapy Testing in a Spheroid-based 3D Cell Culture Model for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Published on: April 20, 2018

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The Potential for Selective Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4/6 Inhibition in the Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell

Douglas Adkins, Jessica Ley1, Jared Cohen1

  • 1From the Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine.

Cancer Journal (Sudbury, Mass.)
|September 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Adding palbociclib to cetuximab did not improve overall survival in HPV-unrelated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, patients with CDKN2A mutations showed a trend toward better survival, suggesting a potential biomarker for this cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Selective CDK4/6 inhibition is a potential strategy for human papillomavirus (HPV)-unrelated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
  • Previous trials indicated potential efficacy of palbociclib plus cetuximab in resistant HNSCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of palbociclib combined with cetuximab versus placebo plus cetuximab in HPV-unrelated HNSCC.
  • To identify biomarkers predictive of response to palbociclib and cetuximab therapy.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized phase II trial (PALATINUS) was conducted.
  • Patients with platinum-resistant, cetuximab-naive, HPV-unrelated HNSCC received either palbociclib or placebo with cetuximab.
  • Correlative biomarker analyses were performed.

Main Results:

  • The combination of palbociclib and cetuximab did not significantly improve overall survival compared to placebo and cetuximab.
  • A trend toward improved overall survival was observed in specific subsets.
  • The largest risk reduction in death was seen in patients with CDKN2A mutations.

Conclusions:

  • Palbociclib plus cetuximab did not demonstrate significant overall survival benefit in the unselected HNSCC population.
  • CDKN2A mutations may represent a predictive biomarker for palbociclib efficacy in HNSCC.
  • Further investigation in biomarker-selected HNSCC populations is warranted.

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