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01-05-2017 | Original Article

Elevated basal antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression predict favourable outcome in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy

Authors: Laura Lattanzio, Nerina Denaro, Daniela Vivenza, Chiara Varamo, Giuliana Strola, Mirella Fortunato, Emmanuel Chamorey, Alberto Comino, Martino Monteverde, Cristiana Lo Nigro, Gerard Milano, Marco Merlano

Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy | Issue 5/2017

Abstract

Background

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) may contribute to the antitumor activity of cetuximab. However, the extent of this contribution is unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of baseline ADCC on the outcome of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy.

Methods

We determined baseline ADCC in 28 patients treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy and in 15 patients treated with chemoradiation. We linked the values observed with complete response and with overall survival. We also considered the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and studied the combined effect of EGFR and ADCC.

Results

We observed a wide range of baseline values of ADCC. Complete response did not correlate with either ADCC or EGFR expression. However, when ADCC and EGFR were considered together using a mixed score, they significantly correlated with achieving a complete response (p = 0.04). High baseline ADCC significantly correlated with outcome compared to low (p = 0.03), but not in patients treated without cetuximab. Patients showing high baseline levels of both ADCC and EGFR3+ achieved the best outcome compared to the others (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

In this study, patients treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy, showing high baseline of both ADCC and EGFR3+, have significant higher probability of achieving a complete response and a long overall survival compared to the others.

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Title: Elevated basal antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and high epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression predict favourable outcome in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer treated with cetuximab and radiotherapy
Authors: Laura Lattanzio
Nerina Denaro
Daniela Vivenza
Chiara Varamo
Giuliana Strola
Mirella Fortunato
Emmanuel Chamorey
Alberto Comino
Martino Monteverde
Cristiana Lo Nigro
Gerard Milano
Marco Merlano
Publication date: 01-05-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0340-7004
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00262-017-1960-8

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Background

Methods

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