Discontinuation of Anti‑programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibition After Complete Remission in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Overview

Journal Oncol Lett

Specialty Oncology

Date 2023 Oct 11

PMID 37818135

Authors

Manuel Stoth

Till Meyer

Thomas Gehrke

Rudolf Hagen

Matthias Scheich

Stephan Hackenberg

Agmal Scherzad

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibition plays a central role in the current treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC). Some patients achieve a durable response, and even complete remission (CR) is possible, though it occurs rarely. In cases of durable CR, there are no guidelines regarding a possible discontinuation of immunotherapy. Since clinical experience on this issue is limited, the present study reported on a case of a durable CR following discontinuation of PD-1 inhibition in R/M-HNSCC and additionally presented an overview on the current literature. The present study reported on a case of CR of recurrent oropharyngeal cancer after four cycles of PD-1 monotherapy with Nivolumab. The therapy was discontinued after overall 46 cycles. Even after 3 more years of follow-up, there was no sign of tumor recurrence. Overall, according to reports from the literature, CR seems to be an indicator for durable disease control after therapy discontinuation. Since data on therapy termination is rare, decisions about when to stop successful immunotherapy in R/M-HNSCC have to be made individually for each patient.

Citing Articles

Overall Survival, Treatment Duration, and Rechallenge Outcomes With ICI Therapy for Recurrent or Metastatic HNSCC.

Sun L, Cohen R, DAvella C, Singh A, Schoenfeld J, Hanna G JAMA Netw Open. 2024; 7(8):e2428526.

PMID: 39158913 PMC: 11333980. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.28526.

Progression-Free Survival and Treatment-Free Interval in Head and Neck Cancer with Long-Term Response to Nivolumab: Timing of Active Discontinuation.

Matsuo M, Masuda M, Yamauchi M, Hashimoto K, Kogo R, Sato M Cancers (Basel). 2024; 16(14).

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