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BMC Cancer

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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Cytostatic Therapy | Research article

Induction chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Authors: Xia Li, Qigen Fang, Wei Du, Xu Zhang, Liyuan Dai, Yongming Qiao

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of sintilimab combined with induction chemotherapy (IC) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.

Methods

A total of 163 patients were prospectively enrolled; 98 patients received IC only, and 65 patients received IC with sintilimab. Following neoadjuvant therapy, patients either underwent surgery (31.9%) or chemoradiotherapy (68.1%). Objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicities between the two groups were compared.

Results

The ORR in the IC group was significantly lower than that in the IC with sintilimab group (68.4% vs 84.6%, P = 0.019). Grade 3 or higher acute toxicity occurred in 15 (15.3%) and 12 (18.5%) patients in the IC and IC with sintilimab groups, respectively. However, this difference was not significant (P = 0.596). After follow-up with a median time of 28.0 months, the IC group had a 2-year PFS rate of 27% (95%CI: 18–36%), whereas the IC with sintilimab group had a 2-year PFS rate of 44% (95%CI: 32–56%), and this difference was significant (P = 0.041). The 2-year OS rates in the IC and IC with sintilimab groups were 61% (95%CI: 52–70%) and 70% (95%CI: 60–80%), respectively, the difference was not significant (P = 0.681).

Conclusions

Addition of sintilimab to IC could provide longer PFS time than traditional chemotherapy regimen, without increasing the toxicity events.

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Title: Induction chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xia Li
Qigen Fang
Wei Du
Xu Zhang
Liyuan Dai
Yongming Qiao
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Cytostatic Therapy
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08373-8

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Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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