Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH

Charu Aggarwal, MD, MPH, Leslye M. Heisler Assistant Professor for Lung Cancer Excellence at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, underscored the paucity of treatment options for metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

“Even though pembrolizumab is available, the response rates are low, and there is a need for combination therapies that can incite a brisk and sustained response,” said Dr. Aggarwal. “The study results are impressive, with a response rate of 45% and a median progression-free survival of over 8 months, and warrant further evaluation in a larger study.”

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Aggarwal has served as a consultant or advisor to AstraZeneca, Celgene, Genentech, Lilly, and Merck; has an immediate family member who has participated in a speakers bureau for AstraZeneca and Roche/Genentech; and has received institutional research funding from AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Genentech/Roche, Incyte, MacroGenics, and Merck Sharp & Dohme.